Pro rider Nina Kessler wins Rás na mBan opener in Gowran

Dutch pro rider Nina Kessler wins the opening stage of Rás na mBan in Gowran, Co Kilkenny, to take the race lead (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)

 

Nina Kessler wins Rás na mBan stage 1 in Kilkenny

 

Pro rider Nina Kessler has taken the opening stage of Rás na mBan, proving quickest in a bunch sprint in Gowran, Co Kilkenny.

The 30-year-old Dutch woman, who is on the roster of top UCI-registered team Hitec Products this year, has also taken the first leader’s jersey of the race.

At the end of 70km she shot from a main field reduced to 67 riders, of 119 starters, to claim victory.

The reduction the field on the relatively short opening stage was a clear indication of the pace out on the road during the 1¾ hours of racing.

Kessler was a convincing winner, taking victory from Claire Faber riding for the Andy Schleck Cycles Project.

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And behind her rivals from Holland and Luxembourg came Norwegian Amalie Lutro of the Region Sor Norge squad.

 

Action from stage 1; with five more stages to come an action-packed race is in store (Photos: LorraineO'Sullivan)

 

The stage winner is a veteran of the international pro scene. Earlier this year she took the UCI 1.2-ranked Erondegemse Pijl in Belgium.

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A former Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team rider, she was also 2nd in the Ride London Grand Prix two years ago to Kirsten Wild.

Best of the Irish on Rás na mBan stage 1 today was Lauren Creamer. The Scott-Orwell rider placed 18th in the dash to the finish line.

Ellen McDermott (Team NH) was next of the Irish riders in 22nd, with national champion Eve McCrystal (Team Ireland) in 23rd place.

Stage winner Kessler also holds the Irish Dairy points jersey. Nicola Junniper (TC Racing) is in the queen of the mountains jersey and runner-up Faber is best young rider.

Best Irish-based rider is Agnieszka Wozniak (Verge Sports) who finished in 48th place on the opening stage.

With no time bonuses on offer,  the stage result after the opener is the general classification. Tomorrow the riders face 75km starting and finishing in Castlecomer.

 

Sean Rowe was on hand to capture some great shots of the first stage of six.

 

Sept 5th-9th: Rás na mBan

Kilkenny City, Co Kilkenny

Stage 1: Kilkenny-Gowran (70km)

  1. KESSLER Nina Team NH 1:47:29
  2. FABER Claire Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project
  3. LUTRO Amalie Region Sør Norge
  4. SACHET Iris DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  5. JUNIPER Nicola TC Racing
  6. QUINIOU Marine Team Breizh Ladies
  7. HENDERSON Anna Cycle Team OnForm
  8. MATHISEN Silje Norway Sør
  9. MINAUD Manon DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  10. DEMAY Coralie Team Breizh Ladies
  11. JOHANSSON Hanna Team Crescent D.A.R.E
  12. EHRLER Désirée Momentum CCN
  13. BENNETT Elizabeth Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo
  14. BARKER Megan Great Britain National Team
  15. LAHAYE Lucie DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  16. OLAUSSON Wilma Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  17. CALLANDER Rhona Great Britain National Team
  18. CREAMER Lauren Scott Orwell Wheelers C C
  19. GEERIS Femke Maaslandster International
  20. CUTTS Francesca Team LDN
  21. HARSCH Anne-Sophie Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project
  22. MCDERMOTT Ellen Team NH
  23. MCCRYSTAL Eve Ireland National Team
  24. MURPHY Lauren Momentum CCN
  25. GRUBER-STADLER Hannah Torelli-Brother-Assure
  26. ROBERTS Jessica Great Britain National Team
  27. TACEY April Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  28. LØNNE Rikke Maaslandster International
  29. MORICHON Anaïs DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  30. MIDTSVEEN Natalie Irene Norway Sør
  31. SHARPE Alice VC Ériu
  32. BERKANE Sarah Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project
  33. POWELL Jennifer TW1 Racing
  34. HUNTER JOHNSTON Fiona FusionRTVeloperformance
  35. RAYBOULD Rebecca Great Britain National Team
  36. FISHER Annabel Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo
  37. ALBERTS Nikky Team NH
  38. BULLARD Georgia Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo
  39. KIELLAND BJERK Thale Sofie Region Sør Norge
  40. SMYTH Katharine Ireland National Team
  41. ABGRALL Noemie Team Breizh Ladies
  42. ELLIS Isabel Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  43. SLINGERLAND Minke Maaslandster International
  44. LEWIS Emma FusionRTVeloperformance
  45. LEE Serene Maaslandster International
  46. JOHNSON Ione Cycle Team OnForm
  47. GURLEY Lydia Ireland National Team
  48. WOZNIAK Agnieszka Team Verge Sports
  49. WILKINSON Mary Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo
  50. RALSTON Helen Team LDN
  51. SPEAKE Alicia Cycle Team OnForm
  52. BOYLAN Lydia Ireland National Team
  53. HOLL Jenny Great Britain National Team
  54. MONKHOUSE Amy Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  55. MASSEY Laura Torelli-Brother-Assure
  56. THACKRAY Sophie Torelli-Brother-Assure
  57. ALLIN Pauline DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  58. PATCH Molly FusionRTVeloperformance
  59. COLYN Catherine Maaslandster International
  60. GALLAGHER Maeve Team Verge Sports
  61. HOFFMANN Chantal Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project
  62. DIXON Leah Cycle Team OnForm
  63. ANDERSSON Alice Team Crescent D.A.R.E
  64. PUSKALA Viivi Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project
  65. NAKAHARA Yasue Momentum CCN
  66. NORDIN Gabriella TW1 Racing
  67. COTTER Imogen Team NH
  68. HUGHES Hilary VC Ériu 0:13
  69. WALSH Orla VC Ériu 4:51
  70. GRIFFIN Mia VC Ériu 4:51
  71. SUMMERFORD Ruth FusionRTVeloperformance 4:55
  72. LE BRIS Cecilia Team Breizh Ladies 4:55
  73. HINAULT Maryanne Team Breizh Ladies 5:49
  74. BARKER Ellen TC Racing 5:49
  75. STEELS Claire FusionRTVeloperformance 5:49
  76. O'DONOVAN Niamh TC Racing 5:49
  77. DONEGAN Aine Ireland National Team 5:49
  78. COX Florence Torelli-Brother-Assure 5:49
  79. LEVIN Tilina Team Crescent D.A.R.E 5:49
  80. HUGHES Gwenno TW1 Racing 5:49
  81. JØRGENSEN Tiril Region Sør Norge 5:49
  82. GUIHEN Fiona Cycling Leinster 5:49
  83. CAMPBELL Laura Shutt Ridley RT 5:49
  84. BESTEMAN Floor Team NH 5:49
  85. BENT Olivia Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo 5:49
  86. GREAVES Melissa TW1 Racing 5:49
  87. LOSCHER Sofie Cycling Leinster 5:49
  88. FLANAGAN Aisling Cycling Leinster 5:49
  89. OAKES Isobel Scott Orwell Wheelers C C 5:49
  90. CLAFFEY Maire Cycling Leinster 5:49
  91. HORAN Breda Scott Orwell Wheelers C C 5:49
  92. HEISS Gina Team LDN 5:49
  93. BATES Jennifer Cycling Leinster 5:49
  94. THOM Joanne Torelli-Brother-Assure 5:49
  95. BLAKEMORE Jeannie Momentum CCN 5:49
  96. GADD Lucy Team Backstedt/Hotchillee 12:11
  97. RØSTE OMDAHL Karoline Region Sør Norge 12:11
  98. LONGTHORP Rebecca Datalynx-Parenesis Women's RT 12:11
  99. WOODWORTH Jessica Cycle Team OnForm 12:11
  100. HAMMOND Claire TW1 Racing 12:11
  101. FILBY Maxine Shutt Ridley RT 12:11
  102. DESMOND Emma TC Racing 12:11
  103. O'DWYER Niamh TC Racing 12:11
  104. MORIN Kristina Team Crescent D.A.R.E 12:11
  105. DESMOND Leah Team Verge Sports 12:16
  106. HOFLAND Gina Momentum CCN 12:16
  107. HATTELAND LIMA Tone Region Sør Norge 12:22
  108. MIDDLETON Kerry Team LDN 16:29
  109. SODEN Nicola Datalynx-Parenesis Women's RT 16:49
  110. CONANT Haddi Shutt Ridley RT 18:31
  111. MOLLOY Sinéad Scott Orwell Wheelers C C 18:31
  112. BRYCE Lyndsey Team Verge Sports 18:32
  113. FHLATHARTAIGH Ciara Ni Scott Orwell Wheelers C C 18:34
  114. MACKAY Sandra Datalynx-Parenesis Women's RT 18:36
  115. SEWELL Iona Datalynx-Parenesis Women's RT 18:36
  116. SALVADOR Márcia Team Verge Sports 18:36
  117. DUCKWORTH Gabrielle Datalynx-Parenesis Women's RT 26:46

 

Domestic Rider Stage & Overall

  1. WOZNIAK Agnieszka Team Verge Sports 1:47:29
  2. GALLAGHER Maeve Team Verge Sports
  3. HUGHES Hilary VC Ériu 0:13
  4. WALSH Orla VC Ériu 4:51
  5. GRIFFIN Mia VC Ériu 4:51
  6. O'DONOVAN Niamh TC Racing 5:49
  7. GUIHEN Fiona Cycling Leinster 5:49
  8. CAMPBELL Laura Shutt Ridley RT 5:49
  9. LOSCHER Sofie Cycling Leinster 5:49
  10. FLANAGAN Aisling Cycling Leinster 5:49
  11. OAKES Isobel Scott Orwell Wheelers C C 5:49
  12. CLAFFEY Maire Cycling Leinster 5:49
  13. HORAN Breda Scott Orwell Wheelers C C 5:49
  14. BATES Jennifer Cycling Leinster 5:49
  15. DESMOND Emma TC Racing 12:11
  16. O'DWYER Niamh TC Racing 12:11
  17. DESMOND Leah Team Verge Sports 12:16
  18. MOLLOY Sinéad Scott Orwell Wheelers C C 18:31
  19. BRYCE Lyndsey Team Verge Sports 18:32
  20. FHLATHARTAIGH Ciara Ni Scott Orwell Wheelers C C 18:34
  21. SALVADOR Márcia Team Verge Sports 18:36

 

Young Riders Classification

  1. FABER Claire Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project 1:47:29
  2. LUTRO Amalie Region Sør Norge
  3. HENDERSON Anna Cycle Team OnForm
  4. MATHISEN Silje Norway Sør
  5. MINAUD Manon DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  6. BENNETT Elizabeth Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo
  7. BARKER Megan Great Britain National Team
  8. LAHAYE Lucie DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  9. OLAUSSON Wilma Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  10. CALLANDER Rhona Great Britain National Team
  11. GEERIS Femke Maaslandster International
  12. HARSCH Anne-Sophie Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project
  13. MURPHY Lauren Momentum CCN
  14. GRUBER-STADLER Hannah Torelli-Brother-Assure
  15. ROBERTS Jessica Great Britain National Team
  16. TACEY April Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  17. MORICHON Anaïs DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  18. MIDTSVEEN Natalie Irene Norway Sør
  19. BERKANE Sarah Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project
  20. RAYBOULD Rebecca Great Britain National Team
  21. BULLARD Georgia Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo
  22. KIELLAND BJERK Thale Sofie Region Sør Norge
  23. ABGRALL Noemie Team Breizh Ladies
  24. ELLIS Isabel Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  25. JOHNSON Ione Cycle Team OnForm
  26. HOLL Jenny Great Britain National Team
  27. MONKHOUSE Amy Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  28. THACKRAY Sophie Torelli-Brother-Assure
  29. COLYN Catherine Maaslandster International
  30. GALLAGHER Maeve Team Verge Sports
  31. PUSKALA Viivi Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project
  32. GRIFFIN Mia VC Ériu 4:51
  33. LE BRIS Cecilia Team Breizh Ladies 4:55
  34. HINAULT Maryanne Team Breizh Ladies 5:49
  35. BARKER Ellen TC Racing 5:49
  36. HUGHES Gwenno TW1 Racing 5:49
  37. JØRGENSEN Tiril Region Sør Norge 5:49
  38. BESTEMAN Floor Team NH 5:49
  39. BENT Olivia Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo 5:49
  40. GADD Lucy Team Backstedt/Hotchillee 12:11
  41. WOODWORTH Jessica Cycle Team OnForm 12:11
  42. CONANT Haddi Shutt Ridley RT 18:31
  43. DUCKWORTH Gabrielle Datalynx-Parenesis Women's RT 26:46

 

Queen of Mountains

  1. JUNIPER Nicola TC Racing 9
  2. LØNNE Rikke Maaslandster International 7
  3. LAHAYE Lucie DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine 5
  4. MCDERMOTT Ellen Team NH 3

 

Points Classification

  1. KESSLER Nina 10
  2. FABER Claire 9
  3. LUTRO Amalie 8
  4. SACHET Iris 7
  5. JUNIPER Nicola 6
  6. QUINIOU Marine 5
  7. HENDERSON Anna 4
  8. MATHISEN Silje 3
  9. MINAUD Manon 2
  10. DEMAY Coralie 1

 

Team General Classification

  1. Andy Schleck Cycles Women Project 5:22:27
  2. Team Breizh Ladies
  3. DN17 Nouvelle Aquitaine
  4. Great Britain National Team
  5. Jadan-Weldtite Vive le Velo
  6. Momentum CCN
  7. Team NH
  8. Team Backstedt/Hotchillee
  9. Cycle Team OnForm
  10. Ireland National Team
  11. Maaslandster International
  12. Torelli-Brother-Assure
  13. FusionRTVeloperformance
  14. VC Ériu 5:04
  15. Region Sør Norge 5:49
  16. Team Crescent D.A.R.E
  17. Team LDN
  18. TW1 Racing
  19. TC Racing 11:38
  20. Scott Orwell Wheelers C C
  21. Team Verge Sports 12:16
  22. Cycling Leinster 17:27
  23. Shutt Ridley RT 36:31
  24. Datalynx-Parenesis Women's RT 47:36
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