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Last Updated: Sep 11th, 2008 - 16:19:45 |
Ireland's only Women's International Stage Race kicks off next Friday, in Sneem Co. Kerry. In a move to bring the race around the country, and show our overseas competitors some new roads, we chose the Ring of Kerry for the 3 day event, with our Sponsor, Sneem Hotel, the headquarters for the weekend.
On Friday evening Stage One kicks off at 5pm - with a trek over Molls Gap. The route is just over 35 miles in length.
There has been a slight change to the original schedule. On Saturday the Road Race will take place in the morning with the 2 mile TT later on in the afternoon.
Stage Two being approximately 50 miles, being 5 laps of the draggy 10 mile circuit of Sneem - Tahilla - Killarney Road - Sneem. Hills are most definitely the order of the weekend. This stage is likely to be the most testing race of the weekend.
Stage Three will be a 2 mile TT from Parknasilla to Sneem.
On Sunday racing starts at 11 am with the final Stage - a 60 mile loop starting in Sneem and heading west, through Waterville. While this road will also be fairly draggy, there are two fairly steep climbs bang in the middle of the race, that should split the race up considerably.
Over 50 riders will race next weekend, 11 teams, and a handful of individual riders. No doubt one team to watch out for will be the Swift Racing Team, headed by one of Ireland's top International riders, Louise Moriarty - who will be looking for a home win.
Cogee Saar have a strong line up also. Last year's runner up Desiree Schuler will be looking to go one better this year, and her team put in a strong performance last weekend in Paderborn. District selection Noord-Holland last year produced a star with Marit Huismann taking the win in Rás na mBan 2007, maybe they can make it two in a row?
The Irish Development Squad have once again put together a strong home team, including Heather Wilson and Kate Rudd, both of whom have been producing good results in Dutch races this summer, guesting for Moving Ladies. Saying that, Moving Ladies have also entered a 5 rider team in Rás na mBan, including Anne de Wildt, who won the Usqert 2 day race in Holland earlier this summer.
Of course we are hoping for a home win this year, and many of the clubs have joined forces, to ensure they get the best results they can, Orla Hendron has put together a strong Orwell Team, Jenny McCauley has a Bray Team and Ballymena has joined forces with Swords to enter a 6 rider team. Team Connaught, Team QCP and Lakeside Wheelers will also be in contention.
All of the riders and their support will be treated to a weekend of luxury by Louis Moriarty in Sneem Hotel, at a very reasonable price, and Velotex have kindly sponsored the leader jerseys.
Start List - Rás na mBan 2008
1 Louise Moriarty UCD / Swift Racing
2 Desiree Schuler Cogee Saar
3 Katrin Hollendung Cogee Saar
4 Julia Thiesen Cogee Saar
5 Elena Eifler Cogee Saar
6 Tamara Zwann District selection Noord-Holland
7 Lisanne Al District selection Noord-Holland
8 Jessica Smits District selection Noord-Holland
9 Roos van de Bos District selection Noord-Holland
10 Iiona Meiring District selection Noord-Holland
11 Anne de Wildt Moving Ladies
12 Ellen Hermes Moving Ladies
13 Linda Ringlever Moving Ladies
14 Linda van Vliet Moving Ladies
15 Femke van Schelven Moving Ladies
16 Heather Wilson Irish Development Team
17 Fiona Meade Irish Development Team
18 Heather Boyle Irish Development Team
19 Elaine Cawley Irish Development Team
20 Kate Rudd Irish Development Team
21 Fran Meehan Irish Development Team
22 Jenny McCauley Bray Wheelers
23 Fionnaula ne Bhradaigh Bray Wheelers
24 Sarah Piner Lakeside Wheelers
25 Cathy Flynn Lakeside Wheelers
26 Roisin Kennedy Lucan CC
27 Orla Hendron Orwell Wheelers
28 Fiona Barrett Orwell Wheelers
29 Monica Marconi Orwell Wheelers
30 Valerie Considine Orwell Wheelers
31 Michelle Geoghan Orwell Wheelers
32 Jessica Laird Orwell Wheelers
33 Norah Daly Swords CC
34 Coleen Foley Swords CC
35 Elle Forrest Swords CC
36 Louise Fullerton Swords CC
37 Louise Harliwich Swords CC
38 Bernie McNally Swords CC
39 Mary Dunne Team Connaught
40 Kama Rowse Team Connaught
41 Sadbh Baxter Team Connaught
42 Rachel Withers TEAM Q.C.P
43 Stephania Magri TEAM Q.C.P
44 Clara Cole-Hawthorn TEAM Q.C.P
45 Heather Summers TEAM Q.C.P
46 Sarah Cramoysan TEAM Q.C.P
47 Karina Teahan unattached
48 Eryn Nolan unattached
49 Bernadette Gallagher unattached
50 Hannah Francis Ards CC
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