Rás na mBan is an international stage cycle road race for women in Ireland. It was first run in 2006 and has run annually since. The event began as a two-day race based in Dublin and became a three-day event in 2008 when it moved to a new base in

Sneem Sneem () is a village situated on the Iveragh Peninsula (part of the Ring of Kerry), in County Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland. It lies on the estuary of the River Sneem. National route N70 runs through the town. While the 2016 census recor ...

, County Kerry. A further two days were added in 2011 when it became a five-day race with six stages. The race was based in County Clare from 2013 to 2015. The race then moved to Kilkenny in 2016. The first winner was Stefanie Gronow of Germany and many notable world championship, Olympic and professional riders have competed with distinction in Rás na mBan including the 2017 winner, Olympic Team Pursuit champion

Elinor Barker Elinor Jane Barker (born 7 September 1994) is a Welsh road and track racing cyclist, who last rode professionally on the road for UCI Women's Team . Representing Great Britain in international competitions, Barker is an Olympic champion, a two- ...

, the US professional star and 2014 Rás winner

Tayler Wiles Tayler Wiles (born July 20, 1989) is an American racing cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Women's WorldTeam . She rode at the 2014 UCI Road World Championships. Wiles originally played soccer until she entered the University of Utah as a pr ...

and 2016 World Road Race Champion and former Rás na mBan Queen of the Mountains

Amalie Dideriksen Amalie Dideriksen (born 24 May 1996) is a Danish road and track cyclist, who rides for UCI Women's WorldTeam . Career She won the junior women's road race at the World Championships in 2013 and 2014 as well as a bronze medal in the scratch race ...

History

Rás na mBan began in 2006 as a replacement for a previous two-day international event run by Dublin Wheelers Cycling Club. The event was promoted by the Women's Commission of Cycling Ireland with Valerie Considine and Louis Moriarty organising the event. Since 2013 the event has been run by the Rás na mBan organising committee chaired by Considine. The name 'Rás na mBan' means 'Women's Race' in the Irish language and is pronounced ''Raws na Mon''.

Winners

References

External links

* {{official, http://www.rasnamban.com Cycle races in Ireland Annual sporting events in Ireland Sport in County Kilkenny