Sport Ireland continues support of Rás na mBan Best Young Rider.

RÁS NA MBAN 12th August 2026

As Rás na mBan prepares for its 20th edition of Ireland’s leading international stage race for women, we’re delighted to confirm Sport Ireland’s continued support which is recognised at the event through the Best Young Rider classification.


The Sport Ireland Best Young Rider jersey is a distinctive white jersey, granted to the best placed rider under the age of 23 on general classification at the end of each stage. Previous winners include Tour de France 2023 stage winner Emma Norsgaard and Track World Champion and Olympic medallist Josie Knight.

The Best Young Rider classification offers U23 riders the opportunity to compete at both the top level as well as within a separate younger classification as the race attracts elite cyclists from all over the world. The Sport Ireland Best Young Riders jersey serves as a symbol for the next generation of Rás na mBan riders and as an inspiration for all Irish bike riders regardless of their chosen discipline.

Speaking at the announcement of the organisation’s support for Rás na mBan, Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “Sport Ireland is very proud to continue our support of Rás na mBan, including the Young Rider classification, which remains a real highlight of the women’s domestic cycling calendar.

"It's especially exciting to support Rás na mBan as it celebrates 20 years in its current format this year. As the race continues to go from strength to strength, it gives our athletes a chance to race against top international talent on home soil, while showcasing elite women’s road racing to an Irish audience.

"We've seen real growth and success in Irish women’s cycling in recent years, and races like Rás na mBan play a significant role in driving that momentum. Supporting events of this calibre is central to our strategic priorities around elevating the profile of women's sport and celebrating positive female role models for the next generation of athletes. We're particularly proud that this Sport Ireland sponsorship is equal to the amount given to the men's event."

Rás na mBan Race Director Valerie Considine welcomed the continued collaboration with Sport Ireland, saying, “The support from Sport Ireland has been invaluable in shaping the direction of Rás na mBan.

“The Sport Ireland Best Young Riders Classification is a focus to help encourage participation and nurture future generations of bike riders. The Young Rider classification is a vital aspect of the race, which assists us in promoting women’s cycling in Ireland, showcasing the sport to a broader audience and inspiring the next generation of cyclists.

“We see this event as a key component in making connections between our event and cycling within the wider community and it has been hugely encouraging to witness the spirit of cooperation from local and national agencies in the organisation of this event.

“On behalf of the race organising committee I would like to thank Sport Ireland for their continued commitment to supporting women’s cycling in Ireland.”

About Sport Ireland
Sport Ireland is the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland. This includes participation in sport, high performance sport, anti-doping, coaching and the development of the Sport Ireland Campus.

Sport Ireland’s vision is an active Ireland where everyone can enjoy the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity. To advance this function, Sport Ireland provides direct, regular, financial support to 100 sports organisations including 65 National Governing Bodies, 10 other funded bodies, and 29 Local Sports Partnerships.

Through the Women in Sport Programme, Sport Ireland funds projects and initiatives for women and girls across a wide range of sports which support the National Sports Policy’s vision of removing barriers to participation and facilitating equal opportunity.

IVCA On Board to Back Rás na mBan Mountains Classification Again

RÁS NA MBAN 10th August 2026

Wicklow 200 reigns as Queen of the Mountains after 20 years of partnership with Rás na mBan

Rás na mBan is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and joining with Ireland's premier international stage race throughout that journey have been the Irish Veterans Cyclists Association, long time backers of the Queen of the Mountain classification through their popular Wicklow 200 sportive.

It's one of the most enduring partnerships in the history of Irish cycling, an important collaboration which has helped secure this iconic event, and has helped to promote one of Ireland's longest running leisure events in the process.

The Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains Classification is among the hardest fought jerseys in the race and former winners include Olympic Track medalist Elinor Barker and U23 & Junior European Track Champion Kate Richardson. 2016 World Road Race Champion Amalie Dideriksen has also claimed the jersey in the past, while Noémie Abgrall, Ladynamips RVC, took the honours in 2025.

Riders accumulate points by being among the leading riders on climbs of varying difficulty on four of the five days of racing.

At the end of the week the final Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains jersey is awarded to the rider with most points who has proven themselves to be the most adept at conquering the gradients presented.

This year’s route will see a particularly intense battle for the jersey with new stages alterations to existing stages in Kilkenny and Wexford, and two completely new stages in Tipperary and Carlow, with a summit finish on the latter.

Speaking on the announcement of the continuing Wicklow 200 partnership with the event, Race Director Valerie Considine said, “We’re delighted that our partnership with the IVCA continues to remain strong after 20 years of support, it’s something that we’re particularly proud of at Rás na mBan.

“The Wicklow 200 is one of Ireland’s longest running sportives and many of our Rás na mBan race volunteers are active racing members of the IVCA and have ridden or volunteered at the Wicklow 200.

“The battle for the Queen of the Mountains jersey is always particularly exciting and well fought. The changes to this year’s route should make the competition even more interesting as the week unfolds, especially with the return of a summit finish at Corrabut Gap. With a different twist on this year’s opening stage, we’re sure it will be a fight from the opening day for the climber’s jersey.”


About the IVCA

For more than 50 years, the Irish Veteran Cyclists Association (IVCA) has been organising racing and leisure events to encourage the continued participation of cyclists in the sport into their older years.

The prestigious Wicklow 200™ cycle challenge was established by the IVCA in 1982 and has become a firm favourite on the Irish Sportive calendar ever since.