Alice McWilliam (Team Pheonix) wins this mornings time trial, and claims the race leaders jersey - Credit © Lorraine O’Sullivan

Team Phoenix rider Alice McWilliam produced a storming ride in miserable conditions to take victory in this morning’s stage four time trial, finishing just three seconds ahead of Lotty Dawson (Brother UK/OnForm), with Grace Reynolds (Smurfit Westrock CT) a further two seconds back in third.

On a surface made wet by intermittent driving rain and relentless drizzle throughout the morning, overall race leader Noémie Abgrall (Ladynamips RVC team) completed the technical 2.5km course in sixth place, eight seconds slower than McWilliam which helped the British rider to jump to the top of the standings by four seconds with just one stage remaining.

Reacting after the finish, McWilliam said "I came here to win a stage, but I didn't think it would be in the TT to be honest, so I'm really happy."

Winner of the time trial last year, Dutch rider Noor Dekker (WV Breda Women CT), crossed the line five seconds down on McWilliam in fifth place, and is now sitting third on general classification, level on time with Abgrall.

With a maximum of 13 seconds available in the form of time bonuses, plus the unpredictable nature of a city centre criterium, everything is still to play for in the battle for the magenta jersey with just four seconds separating the top three riders.

After finishing fourth in the time trial, Smurfit Westrock CT rider Amelia Cebak has regained possession of the Sport Ireland Best Young Rider jersey, while Linda Kelly (Cycling Ireland Women’s Commission) remains the Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider.

With no points awarded in the time trial, McWilliam also continues to lead the Cycling Ireland Points Classification, and likewise Abgrall only needs to finish the race to win the IVCA Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains jersey with no categorised climbs remaining.

The riders return to Kilkenny Castle this afternoon for the always-entertaining stage six criterium circuit race, with over an hour of racing around a 2.1km lap set to decide this year’s Rás na mBan.

Stage 5 Results

1. Alice McWILLIAM Team Phoenix 03'32''15 -
2. Lotty DAWSON* Brother UK/OnForm 03'35''63 +3''48
3. Grace REYNOLDS Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team 03'37''05 +4''90
4. Amelia CEBAK* Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team 03'37''10 +4''95
5. Noor DEKKER WV Breda Women CT 03'37''90 +5''75
6. Noemie ABGRALL Ladynamips RVC 03'40''48 +8''33
7. Aliyah RAFFERTY* Ireland 03'41''82 +9''67
8. Louise Norman HANSEN Team Aalborg Sparekassen Danmark 03'42''27 +10''12
9. Bronwyn MacGREGOR Greenmount Cycling Academy 03'42''33 +10''18
10. Annabel RAMSAY* Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team 03'42''74 +10''59
11. Olympia NORRID-MORTENSEN* Torelli 03'42''74 +10''59
12. Gabrielle FOX Greenmount Cycling Academy 03'43''22 +11''07
13. Elyse SCHUIJT TEAM NH 03'43''55 +11''40
14. Mia WILLIAMS* WV Breda Women CT 03'44''27 +12''12
15. Kirstie DRAKEFORD Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon 03'44''30 +12''15