The riders on last year’s stage 6 which took in Healy Pass
The organisers and sponsors of the An Post Rás na mBan five-day race for women have said they are looking to further improve the presentation of the event and to bring in even more international riders in a bid to make it the premier women’s stage race in Britain or Ireland.
With just under three months remaining until the event kicks off on September 9th, race director Valerie Considine said she was delighted An Post was again financially backing the race and said she was looking forward to further developing the event into a major international fixture.
“An Post Rás na mBan is an event that has gone from strength to strength in recent years, thanks in no small part to the support of sponsors such as An Post,” she said.
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“We're bringing in more teams and riders from abroad this year and the support from An Post will allow us to really focus on developing presentation and profile of the event.”
“It's now a real challenge to ride as well as a real challenge to win and we're looking forward to further establishing the event as the premier stage race for women in these islands.”
The five-day, running from September 9th to 13th, is like the men’s An Post Ras in that it pits full time riders from Ireland and county riders against full time continental-based foreign athletes; all on a challenging route based on the Ring of Kerry.
An Post took over the sponsorship of the race last year and expanded it from a three to five-day event.
Barney Whelan of An Post said backing the women’s race was now a central pillar of the company’s support for racing and leisure cycling.
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“International stage racing for women in Ireland is 26 years old this year and the event is growing in stature, attracting Irish talent and international riders to compete. Together with the Rás na mBan organisers we are putting Ireland and Irish riders on the map at international level while the event itself is a benefit to local businesses.”
The race will take in climbs including the Healy Pass, Caha Pass, Coomaciste, Valentia Island and Molls Gap.
The riders will be based in the renowned four-star Sneem Hotel which is owned by well known cycling figure Louis Moriarty, a businessman with interests in Dublin and his native Kerry.
Moriarty, who has backed the event for years and filled the role of joint race director, believes the combination of another punishing route this year and a top class international and domestic field will make for some great racing.
"Kerry roads are tough and demanding and always produce a great winner," he said.
"Last year's stage over Healy Pass was one of the epic days in Irish stage racing and Olivia Dillon's performance that day will live long in the memory. I'm pleased to say we've got more of the same this year and one or two new challenges which will be very worthy additions to the race route.”
The race is also financially supported by the Irish Veteran Cyclists Association which has provided that backing since the event’s inception.
Race entries have already been received from as far afield as Australia and the US along with increased interest from the UK and mainland Europe.
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