Olivia Dillon of the Ireland team is the new race leader of An Post Ras na mBan after taking victory in the second stage from Waterville to Valentia Island and back to Waterville today.

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.

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