In a break with tradition, this year’s Rás na mBan women’s international stage race will begin on a Sunday, September 9th, and run to the following Thursday.

The 2012 running of Ireland’s premier stage race for women will be the seventh edition of Ireland’s top stage race for women and the 26th anniversary of the start of international women’s stage racing in Ireland.

Following overwhelmingly positive feedback after last year’s successful expansion from three days to five, the event will again be a five-day tour of some of the most challenging and beautiful scenery on the Ring of Kerry.

Race director Valerie Considine takes the reins of the event for the seventh year and believes that the weekend start will provide a logistical boost to teams and riders.

“Rás na mBan is now firmly established on the international calendar and we were keen to give teams travelling long distance the maximum time to recover ahead of the first stage.

“Coupled with the central accommodation at Louis Moriarty’s four-star Sneem Hotel and the Sunday start, the riders should be well settled in by the time the first stage gets under way on Sunday.

“The five-day format was very well received last year and there was great enthusiasm for the challenge presented by stages over hills such as Healy Pass so, rest assured, we’ll have similar fare for the riders this year.

“Plans are well advanced for this year’s race and, I have to say, we’re better prepared at this time than any previous year.

“What was particularly heart warming last year was the strength in depth from the Irish riders coupled with increased interest from teams and riders in the UK and France to go with the usual support from the Netherlands and Germany.

“There really isn’t any other race of this length and challenge in these islands and we’re keen to further develop our established status as a ‘must do’ event for Irish and international riders alike.
The Sneem-based event will again enjoy support from An Post and Sneem Hotel. Full route details, sponsorship arrangements, participating riders and team selections will be announced in due course
Rás na mBan takes place from September 9th to 13th. The event is centred on Sneem and carries the support of Sneem Hotel for a fifth year in 2012. Full race details are available on the official race website at www.rasnamban.com

Rás na mBan is also on Twitter @rasnamban and on Facebook HERE

-ends-

For race organisation contact Valerie Considine on +353 86 382 5842
For media enquiries please contact Declan Quigley on +353 087 6848586

On Saturday morning a group of locals lined up to race around the Fair Green park in Sneem. Racing started with a series of heats and finals, before the energetic and talented Kerry kids conducted a skills session, involving cornering, bike handling, and bike-basketball. The young club has been undergoing these sessions for the past few years with Louis Moriarty of Sneem Hotel, and their experience showed! Throughout the racing the young Sneem riders took time out from their race programme to cheer on the Senior Riders who were doing 4 laps through the town. While they encouraged all riders, there was a distinct bias towards local hero Louise Moriarty (daughter of Louis), with Olivia Dillon also being a popular racer.

Saturday afternoon kicked off with a Time Trial, with all riders performing strongly, clocking up pbs all over the place! Age was on the side for local rower Saoirse who dominated proceedings, followed by her brother David. However, Leah proved to be the surprise performer, stealing third place from pre race favourite Ruarí.

Next up was the Director Sportif and Mechanics competition, where the support crew from the Senior Teams had to negotiate bikes from the young stars, to compete for glory over the tight crit circuit. The DS race involved flat out racing for a number of laps (discretion of the judges), with Gillian McDarby taking victory on the small green bike belonging to Team Ireland mascot Dylan. The main man himself, Louis Moriarty stole silver, with Eddie Lynch taking third place. Special mention must go to Herman (District Noord Holland) who put in a stirling performance on Katie Galvin’s bike, with Commissaire Peter (height=7 foot-ish) having to withdraw early from the competition riding young Lucy Galvin’s machine.

There was a draw in the competition for the Mechanic’s victory salute. While creativity was in abundance, the execution of many moves was poor. However, in the lead, in joint first place, were Tim O Regan (supporting Look Mum No Hands) and Dick O Brien (supporting Orwell Wheelers). Both opted for adaptations of the Superman salute. Ironically O Regan was the only rider to grasp tightly with both hands to the handlebars, raising questions over his eligibility to support “LOOK MUM NO HANDS”. The kids could do better on that one, word on the street has it.

Finally on the Sunday the group of kids were given a lead out for their races from the Senior Riders (and rightly so). While they found the pace a little slower than what they are used to, they drew on their skills from slow bike racing to stay behind the senior riders. Following that no amount of Sprocket Rocket skills were too challenging for the Sneem cyclists.. the session ended with the talented riders riding through a narrow path of cones while taking their hands off the bars… some chanting “Look Mum No Hands” in the process… I’m telling you …. WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!

RESULTS:
Crit:
A Race:
1st – Leah
2nd – Ruarí
3rd – Conor

B Race:
1st – Jack
2nd – Katie Galvin
3rd – Gemma
4th – Lucy

C Race:
1st – Dylan
2nd – Colm
3rd – Anita
4th – Katie Riney

TT

1st – Saoirse
2nd – David
3rd – Leah
4th – Ruarí
5th – Katie Galvin
6th – Ciaran
7th – Damien
8th – Dylan (Dillon)
9th – Anita
10th – Conor
11th – Gemma
12th – Lucy

Gallery by Jill Leonard from Black Unbrella.

Location – Coomaciste (near Sneem on the Ring of Kerry)
Temperature – Cold!!
Atmosphere – Electrifying!!!
Background – One year ago three men made a pact… one “chickened” out.

Stage One – Won by Fiona Meade (Womenscycling.ie)

Stage Two – Won by Olivia Dillon (Team Ireland)

Stage Three – Won by Olivia Dillon (Team Ireland)

Stage Four – Won by Olivia Dillon (Team Ireland)

Bike Cam Movie (1)

Bike Cam Movie (2)

Director Sportif Race

Moriarty Sprints in as Dillon Seals Victory

RESULTS 2011 An Post Ras na mBan Stage 6 Final

Louise Moriarty clinched the sixth and final stage of An Post Ras na mBan, sprinting in at the head of an 18-rider group at the finish line outside Sneem Hotel.

Third over the line was Olivia Dillon who sealed overall victory for the second year in succession after a powerhouse display that included three stage victories in the five-day race.

Dillon’s Irish squad were instrumental in neutralising a number of breaks which animated the 93.5km stage from Sneem to Cahirciveen and back.

Iona Sewell (Squadra Donne) made the first significant escape on the stage and she took the first Queen of the Hills points at Coomaciste with a gap of a minute.

She was soon caught and passed by Lauren Creamer (Ireland) and Lowri Bunn (Abergavenny RC) who worked to open a gap of more than four minutes on the field.

At that point, with 40 kilomteres to go, Creamer was asked to stop working by her Ireland team and Bunn faced the combined efforts of the Irish squad and Womenscycling.ie in her efforts to keep the duo clear.

It was an unequal struggle and the pair were finally swept up with 10km to go by a small group of riders which had been thinned out by the combination of high winds, hilly roads and the efforts of the riders behind.

Sandra Fitzgerald (Ireland) attacked repeatedly on the run to the line but each time was pegged back by the group led by Caroline Ryan to ensure that her Womenscycling.ie team mates Mel Spath and Fiona Meade were ideally placed for the finish.

In the end, neither had any answer to the final surge from Moriarty who added a stage victory to her second place on stage four.

Dutch rider Linda Ringlever (Moving Ladies) missed out on the win but consolidated third overall and carried off victory in the Queen of the Mountains competition.

Third over the line was Dillon, just ahead of team mate Fitzgerald with Femke van Kessel (Moving Ladies) fifth and Laura Massey (Inverse/Cyclaim) sixth in the final dash to the line after five hard days of racing.

The County Rider classification was controlled for much of the week by Melanie Spath (Womenscycling.ie) who also edged Ringlever for the second spot on the podium.

But neither could do anything about Dillon, a US-based Mayo native who is a full-time professional with the Peanut Butter & Co team.

Much of her final winning margin of 2m18s was forged on an epic third stage which she won after riding much of the mountainous stage alone.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dillon and Ryan to the Fore on Day Four

RESULTS 2011 An Post Ras na mBan Stage 4 and An Post Ras na mBan Stage 5

Olivia Dillon consolidated her lead at the top of the general classification in An Post Ras na mBan with a sprint win and a time trial second in today’s fourth and fifth stages.

Dillon has been in irrepressible form all week and took her third win in succession in Saturday’s 66km morning stage which took in four laps of a circuit starting and finishing in Sneem village.

The reigning champion paid tribute afterwards to the support of her Ireland team mates who were involved in almost every move throughout a busy stage that included four ascents of the testing Letterfinish Category three climb.

Concerted efforts by Sandra Fitzgerald and Lauren Creamer of the Ireland team as well Lowri Bunn (Abergavenny RC), Jay Burgess and Louise Moriarty (Look Mum no Hands) came to nought and it was Dillon who applied the pressure on the final climb to thin the group to a final selection of 15 riders.

Fitzgerald tried one last time in the last 3km but it came down to a gallop for the line in Sneem village with the top three riders over the line separated by inches.

Dillon got the verdict with former winner Louise Moriarty giving her Look Mum No Hands team a second runner up finish of the week.

Stage one winner Fiona Meade (Womenscycling.ie) took third having earlier won the An Post Prime in Sneem village.

Lowri Bunn (Abergavenny RC), Melanie Spath (Womenscycling.ie) and Nathalie Jeuland (Orwell Wheelers) filled the next three places in the blanket finish.

The riders had just a few hours to recover before the fifth and penultimate stage, a 3.1km time trial at Sneem.

National time trial champion Caroline Ryan (Womenscycling.ie) took the honours, four seconds clear of Dillon with climbing specialist Melanie Spath surprising many with her speed to finish just over two tenths of a second behind Dillon.

Spath was the big mover on general classification in the time trial, as she converted fourth place overall to second place heading into the final stage.

But it’s Dillon who has a commanding lead ahead of the final test for the tired riders, a 93.5km hike from Sneem to Caherciveen and back including two ascents of the category two Coomaciste climb.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dillon on the Double in Stage Three

RESULTS An Post Ras na mBan.doc stage 3

Epic is the only word to describe Olivia Dillon’s win in today’s third stage of An Post Ras na mBan, a victory of awesome power and tenacity that has already been accorded legendary status in Ireland’s premier stage race for women.

The race leader and reigning Ras na mBan champion copperfastened her lead at the top of the general classification with a 45km solo ride to take victory on the 80km ‘queen’ stage of the five-day event.

Dillon, the US-based Irish team leader went clear with Queen of the Mountains classification leader Linda Ringlever on the second climb of the day, the first category Healy Pass.

With 35 kilometres completed the duo had a narrow 25 second advantage over a group of four riders when Dillon attacked her Dutch rival and forged on ahead.

Ringlever was absorbed by the chasing quartet of Mel Spath (womenscycling.ie), Kimberley Ashton (Squadra Donne) and the Abergavenny RC Wales duo of Sarah Byrne and Corinne Hall.

Dillon, already in the leader’s jersey after her narrow solo win in Waterville on Stage Two, was fired up to produce a big performance and the multi Irish national time trial champion soon opened up an advantage of more than a minute on the group behind.

After taking the Queen of the Mountains points at the first category Caha Gap at 62km Dillon continued to press her advantage all the way to the finish line in Kenmare..

She raised her arms aloft for the second day in succession, this time with 1m58s in hand on her pursuers who were led over the line by Ringlever with Kimberley Ashton just pipping Corinne Hall and County Classification leader Melanie Spath for third.

Dillon now has a 2m09s lead on Ringlever heading to tomorrow’s two stages. In the morning the riders face four laps of a circuit based around Sneem village for a total of 66 km followed by a 3.1km time trial in the afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the race had been animated by an early attack from former Roscommon inter county footballer Caroline Conway of the Leinster team.

Conway opened up a gap of more than a minute on her way to taking the first place Queen of the Mountains points at Knockanoughanish before retreating to the bunch ahead of the Healy Pass when Dillon and Ringlever began their epic duel.

The reigning champion came in alone after a stirring display of strength and aggression throughout the 90km ride and now has a narrow lead heading to tomorrow’s queen stage of the five day event.

The US based Kiltimagh native went clear on her own after the second Queen of the Mountains climb at Geokaun with 33km of the 90km remaining and was joined five kilometres later by four other riders to form the day’s decisive break.

Dillon, a full time pro with the Peanut Butter and Co team in the US, and Queen of the Mountains leader Linda Ringlever of the Dutch Moving Ladies Team attacked again with 5km to.

They were soon pegged back by Melanie Spath of womenscycling.ie, Kimberley Ashton of Squadra Donne UK and Sarah Byrne from the Welsh Abergavenny squad.

Just when it looked set for a group sprint between the leading five, Dillon attacked again within the final kilometre and reached the line a handful of seconds clear of the remaining four, with Ashton pipping new County Classification leader Spath for runner-up spot.

Stage one winner Fiona Meade led in the next group on the road and has slipped to sixth overall, 3m24s in arrears,

The leading five have, therefore, established a significant advantage heading into tomorrow’s demanding 80 km circuit starting and finishing in Kenmare which includes ascents of Knockanoughanish, the Healy Pass and Caha Pass.

An Post Ras na mBan doc stage 2

An Post Ras na mBan
Stage 2 Results
Waterville – Waterville 15 September 2011
Stage 2 Stage Result
Issued: 15 Sep 2011, 15:51
————————————————————————
Organisation: Womens Commission Country: IRL
Class: na .
Winner’s Time: 2h40’46″ Deadline: None
Race Dist: 90.00 kms / 55.97 Miles Total Dist: 147.40 kms / 91.66 miles
Speed: 33.59 kph / 20.89 mph Average: 34.47 kph / 21.43 mph
Number of Starters: 53 Number of Finishers: 52
Did Not Finish: 1
————————————————————————
PL No. UCI Code Name TM Team Time @
1 1 Dillion,Olivia INT Irish National Team 2h40’46″
2 14 Ashton,Kimberley SQU Squarda Donne/ShuttVr 2h40’50″ @04″
3 53 Spath,Melanie WC WomensCycling.ie 2h40’50″ @ s/t
4 39 Ringlever,Linda MOV Moving Ladies 2h40’50″ @ s/t
5 11 Byrne,Sarah ABE Abergavenny 2h40’53″ @07″
6 50 Meade,Fiona WC WomensCycling.ie 2h44’09″ @03’23″
7 43 Jeuland,Nathalie ORW Orwell Wheelers 2h44’09″ @ s/t
8 12 Eggi,Elena BIK Bike Aid 2h44’09″ @ s/t
9 38 Burgess,Jay MOV Moving Ladies 2h44’09″ @ s/t
10 9 Bunn,Lowri ABE Abergavenny 2h44’09″ @ s/t
11 3 Creamer,Lauren INT Irish National Team 2h44’09″ @ s/t
12 2 Horne,Ciara INT Irish National Team 2h44’09″ @ s/t
13 7 Hall,Corrine ABE Abergavenny 2h44’09″ @ s/t
14 34 Moriarty,Louise LMH Look Mum No Hands 2h44’09″ @ s/t
15 10 Bamford,Rachel ABE Abergavenny 2h44’09″ @ s/t
16 49 Ryan,Caroline WC WomensCycling.ie 2h44’09″ @ s/t
17 28 Visser,Silja HOL District Noord Hollan 2h44’09″ @ s/t
18 29 McNamara,Siobhan INV Inverse/Cyclaim 2h44’09″ @ s/t
19 46 Maidment,Sarah SQU Squarda Donne/ShuttVr 2h44’09″ @ s/t
20 32 McKay,Helen LMH Look Mum No Hands 2h44’09″ @ s/t
21 45 Sewell,Iona SQU Squarda Donne/ShuttVr 2h44’09″ @ s/t
22 5 Fitzgerald,Sandra INT Irish National Team 2h44’09″ @ s/t
23 52 Banfield,Laura WC WomensCycling.ie 2h44’09″ @ s/t
24 51 Meehan,Fran WC WomensCycling.ie 2h44’09″ @ s/t
25 18 McEvoy,Orla CL Cycling Leinster 2h44’09″ @ s/t
26 25 Verhagen,Alicja HOL District Noord Hollan 2h44’09″ @ s/t
27 47 Magri,Stephenia SQU Squarda Donne/ShuttVr 2h44’09″ @ s/t
28 30 Massey,Laura INV Inverse/Cyclaim 2h44’09″ @ s/t
29 44 Kilmartin,Jane VIV Pedales des Eaux Vive 2h44’09″ @ s/t
30 40 Hendron,Orla ORW Orwell Wheelers 2h44’09″ @ s/t
31 31 Grundy,Anna LMH Look Mum No Hands 2h44’09″ @ s/t
32 15 Dalton,Anne CL Cycling Leinster 2h44’09″ @ s/t
33 33 McRae,Joanna LMH Look Mum No Hands 2h44’09″ @ s/t
34 37 Van Kessei,Femke MOV Moving Ladies 2h44’09″ @ s/t
35 19 Telford,Sandra CL Cycling Leinster 2h44’09″ @ s/t
36 23 Collie,Mandy CU Cycling Ulster 2h52’10″ @11’24″
37 36 Kennedy,Roisin LUC Lucan CRC 2h52’10″ @ s/t
38 16 Conway,Caroline CL Cycling Leinster 2h52’37″ @11’51″
39 17 Stephens,Niamh CL Cycling Leinster 2h52’37″ @ s/t
40 42 Cooke,Fiona ORW Orwell Wheelers 2h52’46″ @12’00″
41 41 McDonald,Charlotte ORW Orwell Wheelers 2h52’46″ @ s/t
42 13 Roche,Sinead CAS Castlebar CC 2h52’46″ @ s/t
43 54 Springer,Ruth HOL District Noord Hollan 2h52’46″ @ s/t
44 20 Brice,Amy CU Cycling Ulster 2h57’19″ @16’33″
45 6 Hill,Amy ABE Abergavenny 2h58’36″ @17’50″
46 27 Welling,Renee HOL District Noord Hollan 2h58’36″ @ s/t
47 35 Xieyue,PanPanFan LMH Look Mum No Hands 2h58’36″ @ s/t
48 21 Fullerton,Louise CU Cycling Ulster 2h58’36″ @ s/t
49 22 Savage,Maeve CU Cycling Ulster 2h58’36″ @ s/t
50 4 Gourley,Lauren INT Irish National Team 2h58’36″ @ s/t
51 26 Stoelwinder,Anneloes HOL District Noord Hollan 2h58’36″ @ s/t
52 24 Hunter,Mary CU Cycling Ulster 3h05’37″ @24’51″
————————————————————————

Non starters/finishers/eliminated Riders
————————————————————————
Did Not Finish: 48-O’Connor.S
————————————————————————

General Classification
————————————————————————
PL No. UCI Code Name CAT Team GC Time @
1 1 Dillion,Olivia S Irish National T 4h16’34″
2 14 Ashton,Kimberley S Squarda Donne/Sh 4h16’41″ @07″
3 53 Spath,Melanie S WomensCycling.ie 4h16’43″ @09″
4 39 Ringlever,Linda S Moving Ladies 4h16’44″ @10″
5 11 Byrne,Sarah S Abergavenny 4h16’47″ @13″
6 50 Meade,Fiona S WomensCycling.ie 4h19’58″ @03’24″
7 33 McRae,Joanna S Look Mum No Hand 4h20’00″ @03’26″
8 9 Bunn,Lowri S Abergavenny 4h20’03″ @03’29″
9 3 Creamer,Lauren S Irish National T 4h20’03″ = s/t
10 12 Eggi,Elena S Bike Aid 4h20’03″ = s/t
11 7 Hall,Corrine S Abergavenny 4h20’03″ = s/t
12 34 Moriarty,Louise S Look Mum No Hand 4h20’03″ = s/t
13 49 Ryan,Caroline S WomensCycling.ie 4h20’03″ = s/t
14 28 Visser,Silja S District Noord H 4h20’03″ = s/t
15 44 Kilmartin,Jane S Pedales des Eaux 4h20’03″ = s/t
16 45 Sewell,Iona S Squarda Donne/Sh 4h20’03″ = s/t
17 30 Massey,Laura S Inverse/Cyclaim 4h20’03″ = s/t
18 37 Van Kessei,Femke S Moving Ladies 4h20’03″ = s/t
19 5 Fitzgerald,Sandra S Irish National T 4h20’13″ @03’39″
20 38 Burgess,Jay S Moving Ladies 4h22’58″ @06’24″
21 43 Jeuland,Nathalie S Orwell Wheelers 4h22’58″ = s/t
22 10 Bamford,Rachel S Abergavenny 4h22’58″ = s/t
23 46 Maidment,Sarah S Squarda Donne/Sh 4h22’58″ = s/t
24 29 McNamara,Siobhan S Inverse/Cyclaim 4h22’58″ = s/t
25 25 Verhagen,Alicja S District Noord H 4h22’58″ = s/t
26 32 McKay,Helen S Look Mum No Hand 4h22’58″ = s/t
27 52 Banfield,Laura S WomensCycling.ie 4h22’58″ = s/t
28 40 Hendron,Orla S Orwell Wheelers 4h22’58″ = s/t
29 51 Meehan,Fran S WomensCycling.ie 4h22’58″ = s/t
30 47 Magri,Stephenia S Squarda Donne/Sh 4h22’58″ = s/t
31 15 Dalton,Anne S Cycling Leinster 4h22’58″ = s/t
32 18 McEvoy,Orla S Cycling Leinster 4h22’58″ = s/t
33 31 Grundy,Anna S Look Mum No Hand 4h22’58″ = s/t
34 2 Horne,Ciara S Irish National T 4h30’25″ @13’51″
35 23 Collie,Mandy S Cycling Ulster 4h30’59″ @14’25″
36 36 Kennedy,Roisin S Lucan CRC 4h30’59″ = s/t
37 16 Conway,Caroline S Cycling Leinster 4h31’26″ @14’52″
38 17 Stephens,Niamh S Cycling Leinster 4h31’26″ = s/t
39 41 McDonald,Charlotte S Orwell Wheelers 4h31’35″ @15’01″
40 42 Cooke,Fiona S Orwell Wheelers 4h31’35″ = s/t
41 13 Roche,Sinead S Castlebar CC 4h31’35″ = s/t
42 19 Telford,Sandra S Cycling Leinster 4h34’56″ @18’22″
43 4 Gourley,Lauren J Irish National T 4h37’25″ @20’51″
44 54 Springer,Ruth S District Noord H 4h37’46″ @21’12″
45 6 Hill,Amy J Abergavenny 4h39’52″ @23’18″
46 27 Welling,Renee J District Noord H 4h39’52″ = s/t
47 20 Brice,Amy S Cycling Ulster 4h42’00″ @25’26″
48 26 Stoelwinder,Anneloes S District Noord H 4h43’17″ @26’43″
49 35 Xieyue,PanPanFan S Look Mum No Hand 4h43’36″ @27’02″
50 22 Savage,Maeve S Cycling Ulster 4h43’36″ = s/t
51 24 Hunter,Mary S Cycling Ulster 4h50’37″ @34’03″
52 21 Fullerton,Louise S Cycling Ulster 4h52’06″ @35’32″
————————————————————————

Primes
————————————————————————
KOM Cat 3: Mick Murphys Hill

PL No. Name Tm Pts Sec
1 39 Ringlever,L MOV 3pt
2 49 Ryan,C WC 2pt
3 1 Dillion,O INT 1pt

KOM Cat 2: Geokaun Mountain Centre

PL No. Name Tm Pts Sec
1 1 Dillion,O INT 4pt
2 53 Spath,M WC 3pt
3 14 Ashton,K SQU 2pt
4 39 Ringlever,L MOV 1pt
————————————————————————

Mountains Competition
————————————————————————
PL No. Name TM Pts
1 39 Ringlever,L MOV 10
2 1 Dillion,O INT 9
3 53 Spath,M WC 8
4 14 Ashton,K SQU 2
5 49 Ryan,C WC 2
6 9 Bunn,L ABE 1
————————————————————————

Team General Classification
————————————————————————
PL Name Time
1 WomensCyc 12h56’45″
2 Abergaven @ 08″
3 Irish Nat @ 10″
4 Squarda D @ 03’00″
5 Moving La = s/t
6 Look Mum @ 06’16″
7 Cycling L @ 12’09″
8 District @ 20’18″
9 Orwell Wh @ 20’46″
10 Cycling U @ 59’50″
————————————————————————

Order of team service vehicles for Stage 3
————————————————————————
Seq Team
1 Irish National Team
2 Squarda Donne/ShuttVr/Bikefood
3 WomensCycling.ie
4 Moving Ladies
5 Abergavenny
6 Look Mum No Hands
7 Bike Aid
8 District Noord Holland
9 Pedales des Eaux Vives
10 Inverse/Cyclaim
11 Orwell Wheelers
12 Cycling Leinster
13 Cycling Ulster
14 Lucan CRC
15 Castlebar CC
————————————————————————

Meade just edged a hotly contested downhill gallop for the line at the end of a 57.4km stage that included the second category ascent of Moll’s Gap and the third category climb to Carraig na Gaoithe.

Jo McRae of the London-basedLook Mum no Hands squad was just pipped for the win with last year’s overall winner and stage one victor Olivia Dillon close behind in third.

Meade had demonstrated her sprinting class by taking the An Post Prime at Templenoe after 20km and she duly made the lead group that emerged on the long ascent to Moll’s Gap.

The selection was established when Linda Ringlever (Moving Ladies) kicked off hostilities half way up the six kilometre ascent.

Ringlever, fresh from the Tour de l’Ardeche which finished on the Sunday, was closely monitored by Dillon and, though the two were pegged back, Ringlever had enough in hand to lead the field over the second category Queen of the Hills line at Moll’s Gap, closely followed by Dillon and Mel Spath (Womenscycling.ie).

Spath pipped Ringlever to the top points over the top of the third category Carraig na Gaoithe but Ringlever’s total of six points means she will don the Queen of the Mountains jersey for stage two.

Dillon was third over the line and immediately attacked hoping to catch the field napping. After a concerted chase the group came back together within five km of the line where Meade had enough in hand to power home for the win.
The Cork rider also leads the County Rider classification after a fine first day of racing and will look forward to defending both classifications in tomorrow’s second stage on a 90km route starting and finishing in Waterville which includes the third category ascent of Mick Murphy’s Hill and the second cat climb to Geokaun Mountain Centre.

An Post Ras na mBan Stage 1

An Post Ras na mBan
Stage 1 Results
Sneem – Sneem 14 September 2011
Stage 1 Stage Result
Issued: 14 Sep 2011, 19:21
————————————————————————
Organisation: Womens Commission Country: IRL
Class: na .
Winner’s Time: 1h35’49″ Deadline: None
Race Dist: 57.40 kms / 35.69 Miles Total Dist: 57.40 kms / 35.69 miles
Speed: 35.94 kph / 22.35 mph Average: 35.94 kph / 22.35 mph
Number of Starters: 53 Number of Finishers: 53
Did Not Start: 1
————————————————————————
PL No. UCI Code Name TM Team Time @
1 50 Meade,Fiona WC WomensCycling.ie 1h35’49″
2 33 McRae,Joanna LMH Look Mum No Hands 1h35’51″ @02″
3 1 Dillion,Olivia INT Irish National Team 1h35’53″ @04″
4 9 Bunn,Lowri ABE Abergavenny 1h35’54″ @05″
5 39 Ringlever,Linda MOV Moving Ladies 1h35’54″ @ s/t
6 3 Creamer,Lauren INT Irish National Team 1h35’54″ @ s/t
7 44 Kilmartin,Jane VIV Pedales des Eaux Vive 1h35’54″ @ s/t
8 53 Spath,Melanie WC WomensCycling.ie 1h35’54″ @ s/t
9 7 Hall,Corrine ABE Abergavenny 1h35’54″ @ s/t
10 34 Moriarty,Louise LMH Look Mum No Hands 1h35’54″ @ s/t
11 12 Eggi,Elena BIK Bike Aid 1h35’54″ @ s/t
12 30 Massey,Laura INV Inverse/Cyclaim 1h35’54″ @ s/t
13 49 Ryan,Caroline WC WomensCycling.ie 1h35’54″ @ s/t
14 28 Visser,Silja HOL District Noord Hollan 1h35’54″ @ s/t
15 14 Ashton,Kimberley CCC CCC Jersey 1h35’54″ @ s/t
16 45 Sewell,Iona SQU Squarda Donne/ShuttVr 1h35’54″ @ s/t
17 11 Byrne,Sarah ABE Abergavenny 1h35’54″ @ s/t
18 37 Van Kessei,Femke MOV Moving Ladies 1h35’54″ @ s/t
19 5 Fitzgerald,Sandra INT Irish National Team 1h36’04″ @15″
20 38 Burgess,Jay MOV Moving Ladies 1h38’49″ @03’00″
21 10 Bamford,Rachel ABE Abergavenny 1h38’49″ @ s/t
22 23 Collie,Mandy CU Cycling Ulster 1h38’49″ @ s/t
23 43 Jeuland,Nathalie ORW Orwell Wheelers 1h38’49″ @ s/t
24 41 McDonald,Charlotte ORW Orwell Wheelers 1h38’49″ @ s/t
25 4 Gourley,Lauren INT Irish National Team 1h38’49″ @ s/t
26 25 Verhagen,Alicja HOL District Noord Hollan 1h38’49″ @ s/t
27 46 Maidment,Sarah SQU Squarda Donne/ShuttVr 1h38’49″ @ s/t
28 40 Hendron,Orla ORW Orwell Wheelers 1h38’49″ @ s/t
29 15 Dalton,Anne CL Cycling Leinster 1h38’49″ @ s/t
30 42 Cooke,Fiona ORW Orwell Wheelers 1h38’49″ @ s/t
31 13 Roche,Sinead CAS Castlebar CC 1h38’49″ @ s/t
32 29 McNamara,Siobhan INV Inverse/Cyclaim 1h38’49″ @ s/t
33 47 Magri,Stephenia SQU Squarda Donne/ShuttVr 1h38’49″ @ s/t
34 52 Banfield,Laura WC WomensCycling.ie 1h38’49″ @ s/t
35 32 McKay,Helen LMH Look Mum No Hands 1h38’49″ @ s/t
36 51 Meehan,Fran WC WomensCycling.ie 1h38’49″ @ s/t
37 18 McEvoy,Orla CL Cycling Leinster 1h38’49″ @ s/t
38 16 Conway,Caroline CL Cycling Leinster 1h38’49″ @ s/t
39 36 Kennedy,Roisin LUC Lucan CRC 1h38’49″ @ s/t
40 17 Stephens,Niamh CL Cycling Leinster 1h38’49″ @ s/t
41 31 Grundy,Anna LMH Look Mum No Hands 1h38’49″ @ s/t
42 27 Welling,Renee HOL District Noord Hollan 1h41’16″ @05’27″
43 6 Hill,Amy ABE Abergavenny 1h41’16″ @ s/t
44 20 Brice,Amy CU Cycling Ulster 1h44’41″ @08’52″
45 26 Stoelwinder,Anneloes HOL District Noord Hollan 1h44’41″ @ s/t
46 35 Xieyue,PanPanFan LMH Look Mum No Hands 1h45’00″ @09’11″
47 24 Hunter,Mary CU Cycling Ulster 1h45’00″ @ s/t
48 22 Savage,Maeve CU Cycling Ulster 1h45’00″ @ s/t
49 54 Springer,Ruth HOL District Noord Hollan 1h45’00″ @ s/t
50 2 Horne,Ciara INT Irish National Team 1h46’16″ @10’27″
51 19 Telford,Sandra CL Cycling Leinster 1h50’47″ @14’58″
52 21 Fullerton,Louise CU Cycling Ulster 1h53’30″ @17’41″
53 48 O’Connor,Siobhan THI Think Bike 1h53’30″ @ s/t
————————————————————————

Non starters/finishers/eliminated Riders
————————————————————————
Did Not Start: 8-Cotterill.F
————————————————————————

General Classification
————————————————————————
PL No. UCI Code Name CAT Team GC Time @
1 50 Meade,Fiona S WomensCycling.ie 1h35’49″
2 33 McRae,Joanna S Look Mum No Hand 1h35’51″ @02″
3 1 Dillion,Olivia S Irish National T 1h35’53″ @04″
4 9 Bunn,Lowri S Abergavenny 1h35’54″ @05″
5 39 Ringlever,Linda S Moving Ladies 1h35’54″ = s/t
6 3 Creamer,Lauren S Irish National T 1h35’54″ = s/t
7 44 Kilmartin,Jane S Pedales des Eaux 1h35’54″ = s/t
8 53 Spath,Melanie S WomensCycling.ie 1h35’54″ = s/t
9 7 Hall,Corrine S Abergavenny 1h35’54″ = s/t
10 34 Moriarty,Louise S Look Mum No Hand 1h35’54″ = s/t
11 12 Eggi,Elena S Bike Aid 1h35’54″ = s/t
12 30 Massey,Laura S Inverse/Cyclaim 1h35’54″ = s/t
13 49 Ryan,Caroline S WomensCycling.ie 1h35’54″ = s/t
14 28 Visser,Silja S District Noord H 1h35’54″ = s/t
15 14 Ashton,Kimberley S CCC Jersey 1h35’54″ = s/t
16 45 Sewell,Iona S Squarda Donne/Sh 1h35’54″ = s/t
17 11 Byrne,Sarah S Abergavenny 1h35’54″ = s/t
18 37 Van Kessei,Femke S Moving Ladies 1h35’54″ = s/t
19 5 Fitzgerald,Sandra S Irish National T 1h36’04″ @15″
20 38 Burgess,Jay S Moving Ladies 1h38’49″ @03’00″
21 10 Bamford,Rachel S Abergavenny 1h38’49″ = s/t
22 23 Collie,Mandy S Cycling Ulster 1h38’49″ = s/t
23 43 Jeuland,Nathalie S Orwell Wheelers 1h38’49″ = s/t
24 41 McDonald,Charlotte S Orwell Wheelers 1h38’49″ = s/t
25 4 Gourley,Lauren J Irish National T 1h38’49″ = s/t
26 25 Verhagen,Alicja S District Noord H 1h38’49″ = s/t
27 46 Maidment,Sarah S Squarda Donne/Sh 1h38’49″ = s/t
28 40 Hendron,Orla S Orwell Wheelers 1h38’49″ = s/t
29 15 Dalton,Anne S Cycling Leinster 1h38’49″ = s/t
30 42 Cooke,Fiona S Orwell Wheelers 1h38’49″ = s/t
31 13 Roche,Sinead S Castlebar CC 1h38’49″ = s/t
32 29 McNamara,Siobhan S Inverse/Cyclaim 1h38’49″ = s/t
33 47 Magri,Stephenia S Squarda Donne/Sh 1h38’49″ = s/t
34 52 Banfield,Laura S WomensCycling.ie 1h38’49″ = s/t
35 32 McKay,Helen S Look Mum No Hand 1h38’49″ = s/t
36 51 Meehan,Fran S WomensCycling.ie 1h38’49″ = s/t
37 18 McEvoy,Orla S Cycling Leinster 1h38’49″ = s/t
38 16 Conway,Caroline S Cycling Leinster 1h38’49″ = s/t
39 36 Kennedy,Roisin S Lucan CRC 1h38’49″ = s/t
40 17 Stephens,Niamh S Cycling Leinster 1h38’49″ = s/t
41 31 Grundy,Anna S Look Mum No Hand 1h38’49″ = s/t
42 27 Welling,Renee J District Noord H 1h41’16″ @05’27″
43 6 Hill,Amy J Abergavenny 1h41’16″ = s/t
44 20 Brice,Amy S Cycling Ulster 1h44’41″ @08’52″
45 26 Stoelwinder,Anneloes S District Noord H 1h44’41″ = s/t
46 35 Xieyue,PanPanFan S Look Mum No Hand 1h45’00″ @09’11″
47 24 Hunter,Mary S Cycling Ulster 1h45’00″ = s/t
48 22 Savage,Maeve S Cycling Ulster 1h45’00″ = s/t
49 54 Springer,Ruth S District Noord H 1h45’00″ = s/t
50 2 Horne,Ciara S Irish National T 1h46’16″ @10’27″
51 19 Telford,Sandra S Cycling Leinster 1h50’47″ @14’58″
52 21 Fullerton,Louise S Cycling Ulster 1h53’30″ @17’41″
53 48 O’Connor,Siobhan S Think Bike 1h53’30″ = s/t
————————————————————————

Mountains Competition
————————————————————————
PL No. Name TM Pts
1 39 Ringlever,L MOV 6
2 1 Dillion,O INT 4
3 53 Spath,M WC 3
4 35 Xieyue,P LMH 2
5 9 Bunn,L ABE 1
————————————————————————

Team General Classification
————————————————————————
PL Name Time
1 WomensCyc 4h47’37″
2 Abergaven @ 05″
3 Irish Nat @ 14″
4 Look Mum @ 02’57″
5 Moving La @ 03’00″
6 Squarda D @ 05’55″
7 District @ 08’22″
8 Orwell Wh @ 08’50″
9 Cycling L = s/t
10 Cycling U @ 20’53″
————————————————————————

Commissaire Communique
————————————————————————

Result An Post Prime
Rider No 50 Fiona Meade Women’s Cycling.ie

Stage Result includes Time Bonus on the stage.
The College of Commissaires
————————————————————————

Order of team service vehicles for Stage 2
————————————————————————
Seq Team
1 WomensCycling.ie
2 Look Mum No Hands
3 Irish National Team
4 Abergavenny
5 Moving Ladies
6 Pedales des Eaux Vives
7 Bike Aid
8 Inverse/Cyclaim
9 District Noord Holland
10 CCC Jersey
11 Squarda Donne/ShuttVr/Bikefood
12 Cycling Ulster
13 Orwell Wheelers
14 Cycling Leinster
15 Castlebar CC
16 Lucan CRC
17 Think Bike
————————————————————————

Dillon, a professional rider with the Peanut Butter & Co team in the US, once again heads up the Irish team in the Kerry-based event which this year marks the 25th anniversary of the first Irish international stage race.

The Kiltimagh-native will be joined by her Irish team colleagues Lauren Creamer, Sandra Fitzgerald, Lauren Gourlay and Ciara Horne in facing the challenge of top riders from the UK, Holland, France as well as the cream of local road racing talent.

This year’s event benefits for the first time from title sponsorship from An Post as well as continued backing from long-time supporter Sneem Hotel which has allowed the event to expand from three days to five.

The two extra days means the riders face a total of five road stages and a short time trial on some of Ireland’s most challenging and scenic roads in the Ring of Kerry.

Challenging Dillon for her title is a favourites list that includes a number of top riders from Ireland and Europe.

Dutch climbing star Linda Ringlever heads the Moving Ladies squad fresh from the Tour de l’Ardeche in France and returns to An Post Rás na mBan rider where she has been a leading contender in recent seasons.

Lowri Bunn is a race winner in the UK National Team’s series this year and the Welsh rider heads a strong Abergavenny RC line up.
Nathalie Jeuland is guesting with Dublin’s Orwell Wheelers squad and the French rider could prove to be one of the surprise packages of the week.
Having spent much of her career to date riding with UCI registered squads, the Brittany based rider finished in the top ten in the recent French Road Race Championships and clearly has the pedigree to challenge for honours.
Silja Visser is the most experienced member of a District Noord Holland team which traditionally provides strong contenders but Dillon could well face the stiffest challenge to her crown from home riders.
Louise Moriarty is a former double winner of the event who is now based in England. The ex-world championship rider brings with her a talented team selection from the Look Mum no Hands squad and is fired up for more success at her home event.
The womenscycling.ie team includes current national time trial and pursuit champion Caroline Ryan who is sure to feature if her strength on flat courses can be translated to the hills in Kerry.
Her team mate Mel Späth is a top mountainbiker and former County Rider classification winner in Rás na mBan who is in her element every time the road rises. Pocket rocket sprinter Fiona Meade from Cork is also on board suggesting the squad has all the bases covered.
With two extra days the riders face some of the most storied climbs in Irish road racing and a worthy 2011 An Post Rás na mBan champion is sure to emerge come Sunday evening.
Wednesday’s first stage is the shortest road stage at 58km but features the famous climb to Molls Gap which will test riders’ legs right from the start.

Stage two is a daunting 88km loop starting and finishing in Waterville with three tough climbs on the route.

Friday’s 82km third stage will take the riders across the fabled Healy Pass, acknowledged as one of the ‘rite of passage’ climbs in Irish cycling.

Saturday’s fourth stage is four laps of a rolling 17km loop around Sneem and Tahilla for a total of 68km with a 2km individual time trial in Sneem that evening.

The concluding stage will ask a lot of weary legs as riders face the longest single stage, a 95km spin from Sneem to Waterville and back including ascents of Coomaciste climb from both sides.
An Post Rás na mBan takes place from September 14th to 18th. The event, which is centred on and enjoys the support of Sneem Hotel, marks the 25th anniversary of international women’s stage racing in Ireland.
Full race details are available on the official race website at www.rasnamban.com
An Post Rás na mBan is also on Twitter @rasnamban
and on Facebook at HERE
-ends-
For race organisation contact Valerie Considine on +353 86 382 5842
For media enquiries please contact Declan Quigley on +353 087 6848586

Mandie Collie heads the list of riders who have been selected based on performances at national level and in the popular Ulster Women’s Road Race League.

Collie, a regular top six points scorer in the Joe Daly’s Cycles Women’s Road Race League and the Trek Women’s Classic League this season, is an experienced campaigner who leads a squad primed for the added challenge of the two extra days of racing in this year’s five-day event.

Collie will be joined by Louise Fullerton, Maeve Savage, Mary Hunter and up and coming development squad rider Amy Brice in a well-balanced selection..

Meanwhile the Dutch Moving Ladies squad return to a race that has become an integral part of their annual calendar and will be led by international class climber Linda Ringlever.

Ringlever will be racing on the Ring of Kerry just days after completing the Tour de l’Ardeche and, assuming she recovers from her exertions in one of the world’s top stage races, will be one of the favourites for honours in the Queen of the Mountains competition.

Femke Van Kessel and Scottish rider Jay Burgess will support Ringlever in a selection that is notable for the absence of Dutch based Kerry star Michelle Geoghegan through injury.

Finally, the Squadra Donne team from Britain is another long time supporter of the event and brings an experienced combination of Iona Sewell, English-based Italian Stephania Magri and Sarah Maidment.

The event marks 25th anniversary of the first international women’s stage racing and is headquartered for the fourth year in a row at Sneem Hotel.

An Post Rás na mBan takes place from September 14th to 18th. The event, which is centred on and enjoys the support of Sneem Hotel, marks the 25th anniversary of international women’s stage racing in Ireland.

Full race details are available on the official race website at www.rasnamban..com

Further details of participating riders and team selections will be announced in due course.

An Post Rás na mBan is also on Twitter @rasnamban

and on Facebook at FACEBOOK

-ends-

For race organisation contact Valerie Considine on +353 86 382 5842

For media enquiries please contact Declan Quigley on +353 087 6848586

With a week to go to An Post Rás na mBan, Welsh squad Abergavenny RC and Dublin’s Orwell Wheelers have confirmed their selections for the Kerry-based five-day event.

Abergavenny bring a strong selection to Sneem including riders who have featured prominently in the National Team’s Race series in Britain.

Lowri Bunn showed her class in taking victory in the National Team’s series at Naseby in July shortly after she had established her stage racing credentials by completing the testing five-day Ras de Cymru against male competition.

Recent Abergavenny recruit Sarah Byrne has also performed with distinction throughout the season in everything from the Tour Series Criteriums to National Team road races and is sure to relish the challenge while Corrine Hall, Fern Cotterill and Rachel Bamford along with junior rider Amy Hill complete the lineup for what is a formidable selection of riders sure to challenge for honours in Kerry.

Orwell Wheelers, too, have immense strength in depth thanks to the largest women’s membership in Irish cycling and their representatives, which include Sandar Telford and Anne Dalton riding on the Leinster squad, are sure to feature during next week’s flagship Irish stage race for women.

Guest rider Nathalie Jeuland rides with Equipe DN Bretagne in her native France. Her season to date includes a top ten finish in the French National Road Race championship as well as a number of other top results in national competition.

With several years of UCI level racing in her legs, Jeuland will be one to watch for the overall contenders. Supporting her is a strong selection from Ireland’s biggest club including Orla Hendron, a powerhouse of Irish women’s cycling for many years.

Last year she won a World Masters title in the Points Race and has shown consistent road form this year in finishing second in the Joe Daly’s-Velotec Women’s National Road Race League. Charlotte McDonald and Fiona Cooke, both highly promising recent arrivals in road racing, provide back up.

An Post Rás na mBan takes place from September 14th to 18th. The event, which is centred on and enjoys the support of Sneem Hotel, marks the 25th anniversary of international women’s stage racing in Ireland.
Full race details are available on the official race website at www.rasnamban.com

Further details of participating riders and team selections will be announced in due course.

An Post Rás na mBan is also on Twitter @rasnamban

and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/R%C3%A1s-na-mBan/134361623277256

-ends-

For race organisation contact Valerie Considine on +353 86 382 5842
For media enquiries please contact Declan Quigley on +353 087 6848586

London-based Dubliner Louise Moriarty returns to the race she has won twice in the past to head the team entry for the Look Mum no Hands team for this year’s five-day An Post Ras na mBan

After a quiet couple of seasons interrupted by her architecture studies, Moriarty showed that she is capable of honing her form for specific targets with a close second place finish in the Irish National Road Race Championships in June.

The former Irish international, who won the race in 2004 and 2008, will be back in Sneem on September 14^th after missing out last year and brings a squad that is a blend of youth and experience.

Joanne McRae is a former Dave Rayner funded rider who has raced full time on the continent in the past. Now based back in Britain, McRae brings huge experience and talent to match to the squad and has performed with distinction throughout the year.

Helen McKay is a fast developing rider in her second season of racing while Anna Grundy is another neophyte with an appetite for climbing which is likely to be sated on the challenging parcours of An Post Ras na mBan.

The final member of the team Pan Pan Fan Xieyue from Connecticut who is based in London while reading Economics for a MSc at LSE. Pan Pan, who cut her teeth racing with New York team Houlihan-Lokey/Sanchez is already an integral member of the Look Mum no Hands squad.

An Post Rás na mBan takes place from September 14^th to 18^th. The event, which is centred on and enjoys the support of Sneem Hotel, marks the 25^th anniversary of international women’s stage racing in Ireland.

Team of top provincial riders announced on the Leinster Team for An Post Rás na mBan in Sneem this September.

The Leinster team for An Post Rás na mBan announced today boasts the top emerging talent in the province from the burgeoning women’s road racing scene.

The squad is the product of an initiative promoted by Cycling Leinster representative Valerie Considine with coaching from Frank O’Leary and Orla Hendron aimed at providing a targeted programme of coaching and racing at National League level as a structured approach to streaming riders through to elite level road racing.

Irish Team Announced for Rás na mBan 2011.

Dillon to Lead Irish Team in An Post Rás na mBan

Reigning champion Olivia Dillon will lead the five-rider Irish squad in this year’s An Post Rás na mBan, following the team announcement today.

Dillon, a full time rider with the professional Peanut Butter & Co outfit, is the most experienced member of the Irish team and will be the road captain as it faces the new five-day format of Ireland’s premier women’s stage race.

Supporting the US-based rider in the Irish team’s quest to replicate last year’s success in the event will be Lauren Creamer, Sandra Fitzgerald, Lauren Gourlay and Ciara Horne.

Creamer is based in Wales where she rides with Abergavenny CC. On a racing trip to Ireland earlier this year she won the third round of the Women’s National League in Bohermeen.

Fitzgerald has blossomed on the local racing scene this year and earns her call up on the strength of consistent high performance throughout the season. The Lucan CRC rider currently holds the lead of the Women’s National League and has posted a string of other top results in mid-week league competition.

Castlebar CC rider Lauren Gourley has shown impressive promise this year as a junior rider and is sure to benefit from five tough days of racing in Kerry this September under the tutelage of Dillon and team manager Gillian McDarby.

Gourlay, Creamer and Fitzgerald are all graduates of the Irish Development Squad which has made great strides this year under the enthusiastic direction of former international McDarby.

The final member of the quintet is Ciara Horne, the exciting Kenilworth-based rider who was a member of Ireland’s World Cup track squad until funding restrictions forced an early conclusion to the programme.

Speaking of his selection, Cycling Ireland High Performance Director Phil Leigh said that the blend of youth and experience in the squad will benefit all riders.

“It is a young team with an experienced leader in Olivia who is also the defending champion,” said Leigh. “The race gives the younger girls an ideal stage race environment in which to learn and develop under the experienced management of Gillian McDarby and road captain Olivia Dillon.”

An Post Rás na mBan takes place from September 14^th to 18^th. The event, which is centred on and enjoys the support of Sneem Hotel, marks the 25^th anniversary of international women’s stage racing in Ireland.

Full race details are available on the official race website at www.rasnamban.com

Further details of participating riders and team selections will be announced in due course.

An Post Rás na mBan is also on Twitter @rasnamban

and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/R%C3%A1s-na-mBan/134361623277256

-ends-

For race organisation contact Valerie Considine on +353 86 382 5842

For media enquiries please contact Declan Quigley on +353 087 6848586

The Jersey has been launched for the 25th Anniversary of the event.

An Post Rás na mBan set for Kerry in September

Jersey launched for 25th anniversary of the race

Dublin, 18th July: The overall leader’s classification jersey of this year’s An Post Rás na mBan, Ireland’s premier international women’s cycling race, was launched in Dublin today.

The distinctive pink leader’s jersey has been redesigned this year to include the new sponsor, An Post and coincides with the expansion of the event from three to five days.

This year’s event, which marks the 25th anniversary of international Women’s stage racing in Ireland, runs from 14th – 18th September and is set to be the toughest yet as riders face an extra two days of hard racing in the rugged Kerry countryside.

Looking forward to challenging for the new leader’s jersey in September is Kerry star Michelle Geogehegan who races full-time in Holland with the Moving Ladies squad.

“I missed last year’s event through injury and this year I’ve also had a few problems with crashes and injury but if I can get myself fully fit, I’ll be fighting like mad to take that new leader’s jersey,” says the Tarbert racer who rides with Orwell Wheelers in Ireland.

Also planning a concerted assault on the event is former winner Louise Moriarty who races with the UK-based Look Mum no Hands squad and last year’s county jersey classification winner Melanie Späth.

“The route looks really challenging with the extra two days and I’d really love to put my stamp on the event as it moves to five days,” says Moriarty, who took overall victory in 2004 and 2008.

“I missed last year’s event but there was a great battle between the Ireland squad and the top UK and Dutch teams and I’d love to get involved in that this year.”

Meanwhile mountain bike specialist Späth has paid increasing attention to road racing this year and is looking to build on last year’s county rider classification success in her second year at the event.

“Last year’s race was a great experience and I really love hills so I can’t wait for this year’s event,” says German-born Späth who races with support from Cycleways. “This year’s race will be a step up for everyone, from the full time riders to the part time amateurs. It was such a friendly race last year that the atmosphere was absolutely perfect before during and after each stage.”

About the Race

An Post Rás na mBan riders will take on some of the most famous climbs in Irish road racing including the Healy Pass, Coomaciste and Molls Gap.
The latter climb appears on the 58k first stage which begins in Sneem, Co Kerry. Stage two will see the riders take on a daunting 88 kilometre loop starting and finishing in Waterville, while stage three will take the riders across the fabled ‘Healy Pass’ en route to the stage finish in Kenmare.

Saturday’s fourth stage is four laps of a rolling 17km loop around Sneem and Tahilla followed by a 2km individual time trial in Sneem that evening.
The concluding stage of the race is the longest stage of the event, a 95 kilometre spin from Sneem to Waterville and back, including ascents of the Coomaciste climb from both sides.

With the very best of Ireland’s racing talent set to do battle with top international teams, interest has been strong in this year’s revamped event with squads expected from the UK, Holland, Belgium and Germany as well as the usual strong entry from local teams and riders.

ENDS

For more information visit www.rasnamban.com or anpost.ie/cycling

Or contact

For race organisation contact Valerie Considine on +353 86 382 5842

For media enquiries please contact Declan Quigley on +353 87 6848586

For An Post press office contact James O’Reilly on + 353 1 669 0030

Editor’s Notes:

2011 An Post Rás na mBan Route:

Stage 1 “Molls Gap” – Wednesday 14/9

Sneem-Kenmare-Derrylea-Sneem

58km including climb of Moll’s Gap – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/438102

Stage 2: “Waterville” – Thursday 15/9

Waterville-Cahirciveen-Valentia-Waterville

88km including two QOM climbs – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/446356

Stage 3: “Healy Pass” – Friday 16/9

Kenmare-Healy Pass-Kenmare

82km – Three QOH ascents including the Healy Pass -http://ridewithgps.com/routes/438120

Stage 4: “Tahilla” – Saturday 17/9

Sneem-Tahilla-Sneem Circuit x 4

69km rolling roads – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/438112

Stage 5: “TT” – Saturday 17/9

Sneem Time Trial – N70 to Sneem Village – 2km

Stage 6: “Coomaciste”

Sneem-Waterville-Sneem

95km including two ascents of Coomaciste – http://ridewithgps.com/routes/446280

Photo Captions:-

Photo  ATT00001.JPG: Pictured at the launch are Michelle Geoghegan (Moving Ladies Team), Aileen Mooney (An Post, Communications), Valerie Considine (Race Organiser, Cycling Ireland Women’s Commission), Melanie Spath (Usher Irish Road Club), Louis Moriarty (Sneem Hotel & Sponsor Rás na mBan), Louise Moriarty (Look Mum, No Hands)

Photo  ATT00001 (1).JPG ictured at the launch are Michelle Geoghegan (Moving Ladies Team), Louise Moriarty (Look Mum, No Hands)  and Melanie Spath (Usher Irish Road Club).

Full route details have been announced for An Post’s Rás na mBan, Ireland’s top international stage race for women.

Route Details Announced for An Post Rás na mBan

Six stages in Five days for Kerry-Based Event

Full route details have been announced of An Post Rás na mBan, Ireland’s top international stage race for women.

The event, which marks the 25^th anniversary of international women’s stage racing in Ireland, features some of the most storied climbs in Irish cycle racing in almost 400km of racing over five days from September 14^th to 18^th.

With ascents of the Healy Pass, Molls Gap and Coomaciste on its itinerary, An Post Rás na mBan promises to be one of the most challenging stage events for women in these islands.

This year’s event has expanded from three days to five and the race promoter, Cycling Ireland Women’s Commission, has prepared a route set to provide a stern test for race entrants.

Wednesday’s first stage is the shortest road stage at 58km but features the famous climb to Molls Gap which will test riders’ legs right from the start.

Stage two is a daunting 88km loop starting and finishing in Waterville with three tough climbs on the route. Friday’s 82km third stage will take the riders across the fabled Healy Pass, acknowledged as one of the ‘rite of passage’ climbs in Irish cycling.

Saturday’s fourth stage is four laps of a rolling 17km loop around Sneem and Tahilla for a total of 68km with a 2km individual time trial in Sneem that evening.

The concluding stage will ask a lot of weary legs as riders face the longest single stage, a 95km spin from Sneem to Waterville and back including ascents of Coomaciste climb from both sides.

The cream of Ireland’s racing talent is set to do battle with international teams and riders from across Europe and beyond in the event which enjoys title sponsorship from An Post this year.

Once again, the event carries valuable financial and personnel support from the Irish Veteran’s Cycling Association.

Race organiser Valerie Considine has designed a route that asks the maximum from local riders and international competitors alike and expect a tough hard battle through the week.

“With this route I don’t think any one rider will find it easy to close out the race before the final day,” says Considine.

“For international riders, it’ll be difficult for them to successfully mark all their rivals throughout the week and for county riders, the challenge for many will be to complete what’s set to be a tough course.

The support from An Post, Sneem Hotel and IVCA has helped us to expand to five days and make this a race that is growing in confidence and stature on the calendar.”

Last year’s winner Olivia Dillon has already confirmed her intention to defend her title and the US-based Mayo professional rider admits that the organisers have designed a tough route.

“It’s a beautiful and wonderfully demanding route,” says the Kiltimagh native who races for the Peanut Butter & Co Twenty 12 squad in the US. “I normally try to make the most of my visits home but there’ll be not much opportunity for sightseeing this September”

“The roads are some of the prettiest in Ireland but they’re some of the toughest, too. It looks like a really excellent route and I must remember to pack my climbing legs with me!”

Entry details for teams and riders, and accommodation booking is available on the official race website at www.rasnamban.com

Full details of the route and participating teams will be announced in due course.

An Post Rás na mBan is also on Twitter @rasnamban

and on Facebook at http://www.facebook..com/pages/R%C3%A1s-na-mBan/134361623277256

-ends-

Stage 1 “Molls Gap”

Wednesday 14/9

Sneem-Kenmare-Derrylea-Sneem

58km including climb of Moll’s Gap
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/438102

Stage 2: “Waterville”

Thursday 15/9

Waterville-Cahirciveen-Valentia-Waterville

88km including two QOH ascents.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/446356

Stage 3: “Healy Pass”

Friday 16/9

Kenmare-Healy Pass-Kenmare

82km – Three QOH ascents including the Healy Pass
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/438120

Stage 4: “Tahilla”

Saturday 17/9

Sneem-Tahilla-Sneem Circuit x 4

69km rolling roads
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/438112

Stage 5: “TT”

Saturday 17/9

Sneem Time Trial – N70 to Sneem Village

2km Flat

Stage 6: “Coomaciste”

Sneem-Waterville-Sneem

95km including two ascents of Coomaciste
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/446280

For race organisation contact Valerie Considine on +353 86 382 5842

For media enquiries please contact Declan Quigley on +353 087 6848586

See 2011_Women Races for an excel spread sheet of some of the women’s races.

Yellow indicates a classic league race – this will be where the women will be competing in the same race as the men, and points will be awarded according to the finish position of the rider.

Orange indicates national league race – this will be a similar format to before – more details shortly

Blue indicates suitable stage races for women – note the dates for Rás na mBan – which will be celebrating 25 years this year!

More info to follow!!