Top US junior star Schmid scalps elite riders in Rás na mBan opener

Kaia Schmid of the LUX Cycling team from the USA wins today's stage 1 at Rás na mBan (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)

Kaia Schmid has triumphed in wet conditions on the opening stage of Rás na mBan 2021; the US junior rider scalping the heavy hitters in the elite field, including the Ireland and Great Britain national teams.

The 18-year-old, riding for Lux Cycling, took road race silver and 4th in the TT at the American Road Championships this year at the World Junior Track Championships last weekend she took gold in the elimination race, silver in the omnium and bronze in the points race.

Schmid was not slow to take her chance this evening when she got herself into a stage-winning position at the very end of the 70km crash-hit stage. She got a jump on the peloton and just about held them off to reach the finish line first.

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The front of the peloton closed right up to the teenager from Marblehead,
Massachusetts, on the line and while they were credited with the same time as the winner, they couldn't catch her.

Schmid took the victory just ahead of Abi Smith (Great Britain) and Jessica Finney (Cams-Basso). Bekki Seal (Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands-Scimitar) was 4th with the stage winner’s team mate, Makayla McPherson , also a junior, taking 5th place.

Former Irish road race champion Alice Sharpe, riding for Team Ireland, was best of the Irish in 6th place while her team mate for this week, Fiona Mangan, was 10th.

More to come.

Stage 1: Kilkenny to Callan (70.1km)

  1. SCHMID Kaia LUX Cycling J 1:45:27
  2. SMITH Abi GB National Team
  3. FINNEY Jessica CAMS-Basso
  4. SEAL Bekki Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands-Scimitar
  5. MACPHERSON Makayla LUX Cycling J
  6. SHARPE Alice Ireland National Team
  7. ANDRES Michelle Andy Schleck-CP NVST-Immo Losch
  8. GAMMONS Madeleine Jadan Vive le Velo
  9. METTRAUX Léna Andy Schleck-CP NVST-Immo Losch
  10. MANGAN Fiona Ireland National Team
  11. KOSTER Paulien Jan van Arckel
  12. SHROSBREE Danni Team LDN - Brother UK
  13. IMMERZEEL Lisanne Team Noord Holland
  14. SIDE Corinne Pro-Noctis-Redchilli Bikes-Heidi Kjeldsen
  15. CLAUZEL Perrine Team Macadam's Cowboys
  16. GRIFFIN Mia Ireland National Team
  17. EHRLER Désirée Andy Schleck-CP NVST-Immo Losch
  18. GRINCZER Natalie CAMS-Basso
  19. SANDBERG Tessa Team Noord Holland
  20. EDWARDS Emma CAMS-Basso
  21. HOMER Gaby Greenmount Cycling Academy
  22. SHACKLEY Anna GB National Team
  23. DODD Harriet Team LDN - Brother UK
  24. CUMMINS Olivia LUX Cycling J
  25. ALBERTS Nikky Team Noord Holland
  26. KNIGHT Josie GB National Team
  27. NIGHTINGALE Stella Andy Schleck-CP NVST-Immo Losch
  28. HARLEY JEPSON Beth Jadan Vive le Velo
  29. BREEIJEN Violinde den Greenmount Cycling Academy
  30. CAMERON Claire Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands-Scim M
  31. LEWIS Sophie GB National Team
  32. COTTER Imogen Ireland National Team
  33. MÜLLENBERG Lisa Andy Schleck-CP NVST-Immo Losch
  34. POWELL Jenny Pro-Noctis-Redchilli Bikes-Heidi Kjeldsen
  35. ADEGEEST Loes Jan van Arckel
  36. HOOG ANTINK Dorien JvR de Batauwers
  37. TUTTY Elia Women's Cycling Ireland A
  38. LEHNERT Gabrielle LUX Cycling
  39. KRUISSELBRINK Dieske JvR de Batauwers
  40. BARNWELL Ella GB National Team
  41. THOMPSON Poppy Pro-Noctis-Redchilli Bikes-Heidi Kjeldsen
  42. YAPURA PLAZA Fernanda Team Macadam's Cowboys
  43. TINDLEY Jo Pro-Noctis-Redchilli Bikes-Heidi Kjelds M
  44. KELLY Linda Cycling Munster
  45. COATES Nicole Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands-Scimitar
  46. BARKER Megan CAMS-Basso
  47. MURPHY Kelly Ireland National Team
  48. SERNE Elisa JvR de Batauwers
  49. MC CARTHY Carthach Women's Cycling Ireland A 0:15
  50. SCUPHAM Louise AWOL Worx
  51. JEFFERS Emma Torelli Ireland J 2:19
  52. VAN TEESELING Bente Jan van Arckel
  53. KELLY Ciara Cycling Munster 2:21
  54. SHROEDER Fiona Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands-Scimitar 2:22
  55. WALSH Orla UCD
  56. WOODS Becky Cycling Munster 4:24
  57. HICKEY Cassidy LUX Cycling J 4:55
  58. JOHNSON Ione Team LDN - Brother UK
  59. NÍ REACHTAGAIN Claire Women's Cycling Ireland A 4:57
  60. BADOR Flavie Team Macadam's Cowboys
  61. BAYES Hannah AWOL Worx
  62. NEENAN Jennifer UCD
  63. KINSEY Jacqui AWOL Worx J
  64. NICOLAI Dewi Team Noord Holland 5:00
  65. VAN BAKEL Sophie Team Noord Holland
  66. BONTHUIS Lora JvR de Batauwers
  67. HARVEY Cleo UCD
  68. DORAN Yvonne Women's Cycling Ireland A M
  69. BRENNAN Eva UCD
  70. GLONDENYTE Gabby Torelli-Assure-Cayman Islands-Scimitar
  71. ELLIS Izzy Torelli Ireland 5:03
  72. DIJKSMAN Tessa Jan van Arckel 9:29
  73. DOHERTY Ella Greenmount Cycling Academy
  74. SMITH Emma Women's Cycling Ireland A 9:31
  75. GARVEY Lauren Women's Cycling Ireland B
  76. KENT Elizabeth Women's Cycling Ireland B
  77. O SULLIVAN Claire Cycling Munster
  78. MAHONEY Catherine UCD
  79. WILLIAMS Charlotte Jadan Vive le Velo
  80. RUSH Isla AWOL Worx
  81. ALLEN Clodagh Women's Cycling Ireland B
  82. BATES Jennifer Torelli Ireland
  83. MAY Caoimhe Jadan Vive le Velo J 14:03
  84. LEE Lucy Team LDN - Brother UK 14:26
  85. BIJWAARD Eva Jan van Arckel 16:38
  86. MAC HALE Keela Women's Cycling Ireland B 24:40
  87. SAMSEL Agnieszka Women's Cycling Ireland B M 24:40
  88. KINSELLA Amy Torelli Ireland 24:42