Reigning Champion Olivia Dillon arrived in Sneem today from her base in the United States ahead of Wednesday’s first stage of An Post Rás na mBan.
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 http://www.facebook.com/pages/R%C3%A1s-na-mBan/134361623277256
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For race organisation contact Valerie Considine on +353 86 382 5842
For media enquiries please contact Declan Quigley on +353 087 6848586