Rás na mBan

Johnson & Perrott Fleet are set to return for the 20th edition of Rás na mBan, again taking the lead role in the race cavalcade. For the fifth time in as many years, the company will provide a fleet of essential cars and vans for the week, continuing a valued partnership with one of the country’s most prestigious sporting occasions.

Jonathan O’Brien, Managing Director of Johnson & Perrott Fleet, commented, “This our 5th year supporting Rás na mBan and we’re very proud to be returning for what’s sure to be another top-class week of racing on Irish roads.

“Supporting the cavalcade gives us a chance to demonstrate the versatility of our vehicles and the breadth of solutions we provide for clients. Added to this, we recognise many of the qualities we strive for as a business reflected within the race; dedication, adaptability, speed, and strong decision-making.”

For more, go to: https://rasnamban.com/johnson-perrott-fleet-continue-to-lead-ras-na-mban-cavalcade/

Susan O’Mara got her first racing licence in 1980. At 15, she says she knew she couldn’t race with the under-16 boys, but there simply weren’t any girls to race against. She turned up to race anyway and asked the commissaire if she could race with the under-14 boys instead. In response, she was told, “you won’t finish.”

Undeterred, she persisted, countering with, “Well, can I start?”

Susan would go on to collect at least 9 national titles during her cycling career. What we counted during our conversation included 3 road race titles, 1 time trial, 1 sprint (track), 1 kilometre (track), 2 pursuit (track) and the 1st cross country MTB championship title. A commendable list in itself is made more impressive when she casually states, “If there had been more championships, I would have won more championships.”

It’s not an egotistical comment. With the limited number of women racing there simply weren't any women’s national championships for a long time. When O’Mara started racing, she says “the idea of a women's race used to be 3 laps of Mondello Park. They used to run it with the school boy championship, and it was like a girl's race, and that was kind of the only race there was for the entire year.

“I was racing for about 5 years before we had any national championships at all. And then when we did get them, we just got a road race.”

O’Mara’s racing career spanned over 3 decades, with her passion for racing helping to pave the way for future Irish women. Her only obvious grievance from her 30 plus years of racing was not being selected for the World Championships in Chambéry in 1989 while she was racing in France. She felt the course and type of racing would have suited her and she felt she was riding well at the time. However, she did eventually represent Ireland at the World Championships in 2001 in Lisbon.

Read the full story at https://rasnamban.com/a-pioneer-return-irish-cycling-legend-still-making-a-contribution/

This year Susan O’Mara will be running the all important ‘Radio Tour’ information service to the teams and organisers in the cavalcade behind the main peloton during each stage.

📸 1,2,3: irishcycling.com

Just-Print.ie returns to support Rás na mBan as Ireland’s top international stage race for women prepares for its 20th edition! Each stage across the five days will see riders competing for the highly contested Just-Print.ie stage winner jersey.

The 2026 edition of the race sees riders travel from across Europe and the USA to battle it out on the roads of Kilkenny, Wexford, Carlow and Tipperary in what promises to be a thrilling six stage battle over five days.

Just-Print.ie have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ireland’s top international stage race for 2026, supplying the distinctive light blue daily stage winner’s jersey for Rás na mBan. The Dublin based print company also provides key graphic elements and signage for the multi-day event.

Commenting on the continued partnership with Rás na mBan Justin Byrne, CEO of Just-Print.ie said, “We’re delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Rás na mBan, allowing us to showcase not only our own capabilities and services but also, in doing so, to support one of the most prestigious bike races in Ireland.

“The fast-paced nature of international bike racing chimes with the speed of design and delivery we can offer at Just-Print.ie and nicely complements our work. We share a common thread with both race organisers and top-level riders in recognising that hard work and dedication are paramount to achieving an important goal. We also recognise several of our core values in the work behind the scenes to make a race such as Rás na mBan happen - organisation, quality, presentation, and style.

“It’s always a pleasure to see the Just-Print.ie Stage Winners jersey in the bunch and we hope that seeing it in the peloton throughout the race will help to inspire the next generations of riders.”

For the full story, go to https://rasnamban.com/just-print-ie-returns-as-ras-na-mban-stage-winner-jersey-sponsor/

Ladynamips RVC rider Océane Goergen led home a reduced bunch sprint to secure victory on Stage 1 in 2025 on a new 76km opening stage from Kilkenny to Freshford.

Stage 2 saw a chaotic day culminating in a reduced bunch sprint in Gorey. WV Breda rider, Noor Dekker, survived torrential rain, crashes & splits in the bunch to claim victory ahead of Noémie Abgrall, Ladynamips RVC, with Olympia Norrid-Mortenson, Torelli, in 3rd.

Overall leader after Stage 1, Goergen, missed the crucial split in the peloton, placing her in the 2nd group which came home over 2 minutes down on stage winner Dekker. Team Phoenix rider Alice McWilliam took over the lead of the GC, & with it the magenta jersey going into Stage 3.

Goergen crossed the line 1st ahead of Amelia Cebak, Smurfit Westrock CT, on stage 3 doubling her tally after taking the opening stage. Cebak’s strong finish earned her 6 bonus seconds, promoting her to the top of the GC & into the magenta jersey, elevating her ahead overnight leader Alice McWilliam by a solitary second.

The magenta jersey changed shoulders again with Noémie Abgrall powering clear of her rivals to take victory at The Rower, after the 101km Stage 4 along with 10 bonus seconds. Abgrall also claimed 25 of the maximum 27 mountains points possible on the stage’s 3 categorised climbs to tie up the IVCA Wicklow 200 QoM Classification.

McWilliam produced a storming ride in miserable conditions to win the stage 5 TT, finishing just 3 seconds ahead of Lotty Dawson, Brother UK/OnForm.

McWilliam later claimed the overall Rás na mBan title for 2025 in Kilkenny City after finishing in 2nd place on the final stage behind France’s Goergen, claiming a total of 9 bonus seconds in the criterium to secure her lead.

McWilliam also secured the Cycling Ireland Points jersey to accompany the Rás na mBan overall magenta jersey, while Linda Kelly took home the Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider classification, with Denmark’s Olympia Norrid-Mortensen securing the Sport Ireland Best Young Rider classification.

What does September have in store for us???

Ireland’s premier women’s international stage race, Rás na mBan, combines past and present with a new route in County Tipperary during its landmark 20th edition of the event.

While Rás na mBan celebrates its 20th anniversary, this year also marks the 40th anniversary of the John Hearn Memorial Stage Race, Ireland’s first international multi-day road race for women and an event to which Rás na mBan can trace a direct lineage. The John Hearn Memorial took place in Carrick-on-Suir in 1986, and Stage 3 of the 2026 edition of Rá na mBan will start and finish within metres of the location from which that pioneering race.

Speaking at the stage announcement, Cllr Kieran Bourke, Cathaoirleach Carrick-on-Suir MD said,

“It’s very exciting to see such a high calibre bike race return to Carrick-on-Suir. We’re very proud to have played such a significant role in women’s cycling in Ireland all those years ago with the John Hearn Memorial race attracting such large numbers for its time and of such a strong calibre.

“We’re delighted to be able to showcase County Tipperary through Rás na mBan, from its scenery, landscape and amenities to its place in Irish history. Tipperary has also produced some world class cyclists in the past, and we hope this event may even inspire a few more in years to come!”

For more, go to https://rasnamban.com/tipperary-combines-past-and-present-for-20th-and-40th-anniversaries/

📸: at the launch of Rás na mBan in Carrick-on-Suir were, from left, Cllr. Kieran Bourke, Cathaoirleach Carrick-on-Suir MD, International cyclist Aoife O'Donovan and Valerie Considine, Race Director Rás na mBan.

The official digital Road Book is now available.

Featuring the six stage routes, race schedules, features, rider information and spectator guides for this landmark 20th edition.

Download your copy and get ready for five thrilling days of international women’s racing.

Available at https://rasnamban.com/riderinformation/

Stage two of the 2026 race on Thursday, September 3rd will see riders undertake a new twist on an existing route as they leave from Gorey to traverse a mix of challenging climbs, fast racing, and stunning scenery as they loop around the roads of the Model County before a fast finish again in Gorey.

Riders will also be treated to a true festival of cycling as Wexford County Council is set to host a range of bike focused activities in the Town Park in Gorey to coincide with the day’s racing.

Included in the day’s festivities are:

* Bike Buddies will host a range of fun cycling games and activities for primary school children
* Bike maintenance advice will be provided by Biking.ie – find out how to keep your bike in tip-top condition
* Sports Active Wexford will showcase their ranges of activities and programmes, with an emphasis on women in sport. Budding cyclists can try out balance bikes.
* Find out about the activities of Gorey Pedestrian & Cycling Association
* Cycling Ireland will hold a BMX demo in the skatepark
* The Road Safety Authority will be on hand with safety advice and some goodies to help keep you safe on the road.

Speaking at the stage announcement, Cllr. Mary Farrell, Cathaoirleach (Gorey-Kilmuckridge MD) welcomed the return of the race to Wexford, saying, “It is a great honour for Gorey to play host to this prestigious international women’s cycling event. Having both the start and finish stage in Gorey gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase our town and the very best of Wexford hospitality. I commend the Rás na mBan organisers and Wexford County Council for working together to bring world-class women’s sport to our roads, inspiring the next generation of female athletes.”

For more, go to https://rasnamban.com/ras-na-mban-returns-to-wexford/

📸: Pictured at the launch of Rás na mBan in Wexford, Race Director Valerie Considine, Linda Kelly, Cllr. Mary Farrell, Cathaoirleach (Gorey-Kilmuckridge MD).

Irish rider Mia Griffin stormed to victory in Callan, County Kilkenny on stage 1 2024 repeating the feat she achieved on the same stage last year. The Kilkenny native powered clear in the bunch sprint, crossing the line ahead of teammates Robyn Clay & Caoimhe O’Brien in 2nd & 3rd.

O’Brien secured an impressive win the following day, narrowly edging ahead of teammate and magenta jersey wearer Griffin. British rider Abigail Miller of Tofauti Everyone Active rounded out the podium in 3rd place, following a tough stage in County Laois that featured the fearsome first category ascent of ‘The Cut’.

Griffin continued her run of success by sprinting to victory in Stage 3 in Gorey, Co. Wexford. Griffin, wearing the magenta leader’s jersey, took the victory ahead of American Heidi Franz, Monarch Racing, with Dutch rider Noor Dekker, JEGG DJR Academy, coming home in 3rd.

The maximum time bonuses secured by Griffin at both the finish & intermediate sprint resulted in her extending her GC lead to 12 seconds over DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK teammate O’Brien.

2023 Rás na mBan winner Manon de Boer put in a dominant performance to secure her 1st stage win in Co. Kilkenny. The Dutch rider powered up the final metres of the finishing climb to ‘The Rower’ to cross the line ahead of American Heidi Franz, with Marine Lenehan the best of the Irish in 3rd. Overall leader Griffin finished 4 seconds down on De Boer, which was enough to keep hold of the magenta jersey with only 2 stages remaining.

Dekker topped the timesheets during the 5th stage with a storming ride around the 2.5 km circuit around Kilkenny Castle, finishing in a time of 3 minutes 27 seconds, at a searing average speed of 43.4 kph. Defending champion & stage 4 winner de Boer crossed the line just 1 second down on Dekker, with magenta jersey Griffin posting the 3rd fastest time a further second back.

Griffin successfully defended her lead at the top of the GC finishing safely in the bunch behind stage winner & teammate Lucy Lee to secure the overall victory. In doing so, she became the first Irish rider to win the race since Olivia Dillon in 2013.

Carlow is getting set to host Ireland’s premier international bike race for women, Rás na mBan, in September.

It’s the 20th anniversary of the event and the organisers have designed a particularly demanding route entirely within County Carlow for the fourth day of the race which is sure to provide an epic test for the riders.

With over 1000 metres of elevation on the way to a summit finish on Corrabut Gap, this has been dubbed the ‘Queen Stage’ of the five-day event as the one which provides the sternest test of the riders’ climbing talents.

The rugged landscape of the concluding climb and seductive beauty of the rolling hills on the approach to the final test will also form a striking backdrop to what will be one of the most important appointments on the 2026 Irish cycling calendar.

Indeed, the riders will race up Corrabut Gap on Mount Leinster not once, but twice in what is sure to be one of the most significant stages of the week.

Announcing Carlow’s hosting of the stage, Cllr. Thomas Kinsella, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said:

"Carlow County Council is delighted to support the return of Rás na mBan to County Carlow. Events such as this play an important role in showcasing all that our county has to offer, bringing visitors into our towns and villages and supporting local businesses, hospitality providers and tourism attractions.

“Rás na mBan is about much more than competitive cycling. It creates a real sense of community, with local volunteers, clubs and residents coming together to welcome riders and supporters from across Ireland and beyond. It is a fantastic opportunity to encourage people to get active, celebrate our vibrant communities and highlight Carlow as a welcoming destination for sporting and outdoor events."

For more, go to https://rasnamban.com/carlow-to-showcase-world-class-womens-cycling-this-september/

📸: Cllr. Paul Doogue, Leas Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council; Coilín O'Reilly, Chief Executive Carlow County Council; International cyclist Aoife O'Donovan.

📸 2: Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development Carlow County Council; Gerard Bonner, Programme Manager Active Carlow; Coilín O'Reilly, Chief Executive Carlow County Council; International cyclist Aoife O'Donovan; Cllr. Paul Doogue, Leas Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council; Valerie Considine, Race Director Rás na mBan and Declan Quigley, Communications Director Rás na mBan.