This year’s Rás na mBan includes a first-ever Waterford stage, starting and finishing in the beautiful seaside town of Tramore, as well as an exciting final day that includes a time trial before a criterium finale in the heart of Kilkenny city.
Featuring six stages, Ireland’s only international women’s stage race brings riders around some challenging and exciting routes in the midlands as well as the south-east. It takes place from September 6th to 10th.
The 2023 edition of the race is the 17th under the title of Rás na mBan and the 36th annual international stage race for women in Ireland.
The best Irish riders based at home and abroad will once again compete with riders from the rest of Europe and beyond.
The event has gathered together a number of partners to ensure it remains on the calendar with support from Cycling Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Sport Ireland, Europcar, Johnson and Perrott, Laois, Kilkenny and Waterford County Councils.
Pactimo have also produced six distinctive jerseys to be picked out in the peloton. Pictured above they will be worn by the overall leader, the Queen of the Mountains, the Best Irish and Best Young riders, the points and stage winners.
Ireland will hope to be in the thick of the action next month as a five-rider team featuring some exciting younger riders takes to the start line in Kilkenny on September 6th.
Mia Griffin, this week crowned national champion in the Criterium National Championships, is back in the green jersey for Ireland and will always be one to look for on home roads.
Caoimhe and Aoife O’Brien will both represent Ireland as they seek to continue their fine form that has seen them enjoy success on both the road and track this season.
Erin Creighton will also feature in the team after previously representing Ireland at senior level at the Track European Championships in February. Riding in her first year at senior level, Creighton is seeking to build on the International race exposure she has gained on the track this year and also develop as an International road rider.
Completing the line-up, Lucy Benezet Minns is one to watch for Ireland. The first year junior was crowned time trial and road race national champion earlier this summer. Representing Ireland at the 2023 Road World Championships, Benezet Minns finished in 4th in the junior women’s time trial as she proved to be one of the world’s best in stellar company.
