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 14th 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 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
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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