Rules Updated – see below..

General Info.

The race headquarters is Sneem Hotel, Goldens Cove, Sneem, Co.Kerry.

Sign-on /Race times are on the table below.

Rules

v      Rás na mBan International Ladies 3-day cycle race is promoted by the Women’s Commission of Cycling Ireland and run under the rules of  Cycling Ireland and Union Cycliste International.  All participant riders and officials must be holders of a current licence issued by Cycling Ireland or a UCI affiliated organisation.  Alternatively competitors may take out a special Cycling Ireland licence for the event. These licences will be available from Commissaries on the day of the event. Licences must be produced at the sign-on.

v      The race is open to individuals and teams, to a maximum of six counting riders. Additional riders from a club or team may participate but must wear a different jersey.

v      Riders are responsible for their own safety and must comply with the rules of the road. While every effort will be made to ensure the safety of the riders, care must be taken by all riders particularly on narrow roads and at the rear of the race.  Continental riders are reminded that, in Ireland, we cycle and drive on the left-hand-side of the road.  The roads are not closed for this event and competitors will encounter normal road traffic during the event.

v      All teams wishing to have a vehicle in the race cavalcade must advise sign-on.  Prior to stage 1 a draw for team cars will be held and subsequent cavalcades will be based on general classification placing. Team managers should attend sign-on at 16:00 on Fri to receive cavalcade numbers.  Please note – no team is allowed to overtake a group of riders in the last 10km of the race.  Car drivers must produce the appropriate CI/UCI licence at sign-on. Care must be taken to park vehicles safely and legally.

v      Neutral service car(s) will be provided.  Each team of 3 riders or more must supply a pair of wheels to neutral service for the duration of the race for use by all competitors.  Competitors must return any wheels to neutral service immediately at the finish. Co-operation is expected from all service vehicles to all riders with the exception of the first three cars in the cavalcade who need only attend to their own riders.

v      Any loss or damage to radios or equipment provided by service vehicles or the race organisation must be made good by the team/rider concerned.

v      Competitors requiring service must pull in to the left-hand-side of the road.

v      Race Rules – GC; Points; QOH and TT

General Classification: will be run on cumulative time. Time bonuses will be applied on stages 1, 2 & 4 as follows: 1st -5 sec, 2^nd -3 sec & 3^rd -1 sec

Points Competition:  Points will be awarded to first 10 on all stages at finish of race and in stage 2 – see below

Queen of the Hills: see table below. Start of climbs will be shown by a Blue flag. Finish of climb by White flag.

Ø       Day 1 Stage 1: Sneem -> Molls Gap -> Sneem

·         General Classification:  Time bonus of 5, 3, 1 seconds for first 3 riders at finish

·         Queen of the Hills: 1^st Molls Gap with points awarded; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

·         Queen of the Hills: 2^nd Carrig na Gaoithe with points awarded; 4,3,2,1

§         Points Jersey: 1 to 10 places at finish

Ø       Day 2 Stage 2: Sneem ->Tahilla -> Letterfinish -> Sneem (x 5)

§         General Classification:  Time bonus of 5, 3, 1 seconds for first 3 riders over the line

·         Queen of the Hills: Lap 2 & Lap 4: Letterfinish with points awarded: 4, 3, 2, 1

§         Special Primes: Lap 1 & Lap 3

§         Points Jersey: 1 to 10 places at finish

Ø       Day 2 Stage 2a: Time Trial

·         2 Mile Time Trial: All stages must be ridden on a classic road bike as defined in the UCI regulations Part 1 Chapter 2 Section 2. In the time trial stage no bar extensions or similar will be permitted nor will wheels with less than 12 spokes.

·         Time Trial will be run in race number order

·         No points on this stage

Ø       Day 3 Stage 3: Sneem – Coomaciste –Waterville – 10 mile loop – Coomaciste-Sneem

§         General Classification:  Time bonus of 5, 3, 1 seconds for first 3 riders over the line

·         Queen of the Hills: 1^st Coomaciste with points awarded: 5,4, 3, 2, 1

·         Queen of the Hills: 2^nd Coomaciste with points awarded: 5,4, 3, 2, 1

Points Jersey: 1 to 10 places at finish

v      Table of Rules below

v      Any objections or complaints re incidents during the stage must be given to the Commissarie, in writing, within one hour of the race finish.  The written complaint must be accompanied by €13-00 fee.