Ireland’s most prestigious women’s cycling race is set to traverse Laois tomorrow, with Stage 2 of this year’s Rás na mBan beginning in Portlaoise, travelling around the county and finishing, in Mountrath after taking on the famous Cut in the Slieve Blooms.
Stage 1 of the race got underway in Kilkenny today, beginning in the city and going on 74km route before finishing in Callan.
Thursday’s Stage 2 begins at Laois County Council at 11am before travelling to Stradbally, The Heath, Emo, Mountmellick, Rosenallis, Clonaslee, The Cut, Mountrath, Aghaboe, Ballacolla, Abbeyleix and back to Mountrath. In all the route is 104.5km and has an ascent of 830 metres.
It’s expected to finish in Mountrath between 2pm and 2.30pm where Minister Thomas Byrne will be on hand to make a presentation to the stage winner.
Highlights of the race will be broadcast on RTE, TG4 and Eurosport.
Rás na mBan is Ireland’s biggest international stage cycle race with over 100 of the world’s top women racers and the Irish national team with riders from 20 teams and 15 different countries.
Kilkenny’s Mia Griffin won the first stage on Wednesday riding for the Das Hutchinson Brother UK team.
Stage 3 on Friday starts again in Kilkenny and finishes in Gorey while Saturday’s Stage 4 takes in Inistioge and finishes in The Rower in Kilkenny.
Stages 5 and 6 on Sunday, the individual time trials and Criterium, take place in Kilkenny Castle and around the city itself respectively.
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