Irish rider Mia Griffin took a resounding victory in the opening stage of the Rás na mBan in Callan, County Kilkenny, repeating her triumph on the same stage last year. The Kilkenny native, fresh from representing Ireland at the Paris Olympics, showcased her sprinting prowess, powering across the line ahead of her DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK teammates Robyn Clay and Caoimhe O’Brien.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
Ireland’s premier women’s stage race, the Rás na mBan, began on Wednesday. The race, featuring 100 riders from 14 countries, kicked off from Kilkenny City for a 74-kilometre stage that included one categorised climb before two finishing circuits around Callan.
Early signs of dominance from the British UCI Continental DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK team were apparent when British rider Lucy Lee led the way over the category three Curragawn climb. She summited ahead of reigning overall champion Manon de Boer of NWVG-Uplus, securing the lead in the IVCA Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains classification.
Image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
The stage saw plenty of aggressive racing, with multiple attacks forming after the climb. A breakaway trio featuring DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK’s Frankie Hall, Team Aalborg Sparekassen’s Frederikke Aafeldt, and Team Dan Morrisey’s guest rider Katy Hill – who normally rides for the LDN Academy – managed to escape and establish a lead of nearly a minute with 25 kilometres to go. However, the peloton, driven by the sprinters’ teams, worked hard to close the gap, and the breakaway was reeled in with just three kilometres remaining.
Griffin’s teammates took control of the race in the final moments, setting a fast pace and positioning her perfectly for the sprint. Leading into the final corner, Griffin unleashed a powerful burst, leaving her rivals trailing in her wake. Clay finished second, while O’Brien rounded out the podium, marking a commanding performance for the DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK team.
Griffin’s victory also saw her don the magenta leader’s jersey and secure the top spots in both the Cycling Ireland Points and Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider classifications. Clay’s impressive ride earned her the Sport Ireland Best Young Rider jersey.
Image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Stage 2 promises more excitement as the race heads to County Laois for a 104-kilometre route from Portlaoise to Mountrath, which features the challenging ascent of The Cut in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Results
Stage 1
Rk. Bib Name Team Nat. Gap 1. 52 Mia GRIFFIN Das Hutchinson Brother UK IRL 1h50’41” 2. 55 Robyn CLAY* Das Hutchinson Brother UK GBR ” 3. 51 Caoimhe O BRIEN* Das Hutchinson Brother UK IRL ” 4. 183 Mari PORTON* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR ” 5. 13 Aoife O’BRIEN* Ireland IRL ” 6. 124 Iris MULDER* WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED ” 7. 211 Marine LENEHAN Dan Morrissey Primor by IRL ” 8. 145 Lotty DAWSON* Brother UK/OnForm GBR ” 9. 71 Camille LA Sweat CAN ” 10. 155 Evie SMITH* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 11. 191 Ellen MCDERMOTT UCD Cycling Club IRL ” 12. 22 Darcey HARKNESS* Cycling Ulster IRL ” 13. 3 Arenda VAN NWVG-Uplus NED ” 14. 182 Abigail MILLER* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR ” 15. 72 Emily FLYNN LA Sweat CAN ” 16. 135 Heidi FRANZ Monarch Racing USA ” 17. 74 Jessica BONILLA LA Sweat MEX ” 18. 171 Gabrielle FOX Greenmount Cycling IRL ” 19. 165 Grace WARD* TC Racing GBR ” 20. 53 Lucy LEE Das Hutchinson Brother UK GBR ” 21. 212 Jayati HINE Dan Morrissey Primor by GBR ” 22. 154 Lucy GLOVER* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 23. 14 Aliyah RAFFERTY* Ireland IRL ” 24. 12 Aine DOHERTY* Ireland IRL ” 25. 114 Nicola GREENWOOD Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR ” 26. 2 Wendy OOSTERWOUD NWVG-Uplus NED ” 27. 42 Martha Torelli NOR ” 28. 174 Amelia STAUNTON* Greenmount Cycling GBR ” 29. 1 Manon DE BOER NWVG-Uplus NED ” 30. 111 Isabella JOHNSON* Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR ” 31. 73 Holly SIMONSON LA Sweat CAN ” 32. 153 Alice COLLING* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 33. 23 Jemma SPEARS Cycling Ulster IRL ” 34. 84 Jorja BOND* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 35. 94 Noor DEKKER JEGG DJR Academy NED ” 36. 132 Chloe MAUVAIS Monarch Racing USA ” 37. 113 Rebekah NASH Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR ” 38. 44 Elizabeth VAAGS Torelli CAN ” 39. 31 Rosan KOPER Team Noord Holland NED ” 40. 93 Jasmijn JEGG DJR Academy NED ” 41. 201 Anabelle THOMAS* Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie CAN ” 42. 213 Lizzie HERMOLLE Dan Morrissey Primor by GBR ” 43. 141 Tuva MAULAND* Brother UK/OnForm NOR ” 44. 92 Miranda BIK JEGG DJR Academy NED ” 45. 33 Elyse SCHUIJT Team Noord Holland NED ” 46. 101 Gertrud RIIS Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN ” 47. 32 Demi KONST* Team Noord Holland NED ” 48. 82 Ella BRENNEMAN* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 49. 43 Annamarie LIPP Torelli NZL ” 50 4 iris SCHULTINGA NWVG-Uplus NED ” 51. 85 Sabrina HAYES* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 52. 83 Elizabeth GRIER* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 53. 41 Bronwyn Torelli NZL ” 54. 192 Abi CONWAY* UCD Cycling Club IRL ” 55. 215 Katy HILL Dan Morrissey Primor by GBR ” 56. 62 Hannah MCCLOREY* Doltcini CycleDivision IRL ” 57. 11 Lucy BENEZET Ireland IRL ” 58. 181 Georgia LANCASTER* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR ” 59. 95 Amber VAN OORT JEGG DJR Academy NED ” 60. 144 Grace REYNOLDS Brother UK/OnForm IRL ” 61. 202 Jazmine LAVERGNE* Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie CAN ” 62. 5 Fleur SMITH NWVG-Uplus NED ” 63. 185 Amelia CEBAK* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR ” 64. 81 Betty HASSE* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 65. 152 Ruby OAKES* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 66. 214 Violinde DEBREEIJEN Dan Morrissey Primor by NED ” 67. 75 Mariana VALADEZ LA Sweat MEX ” 68. 203 Valerie LAROCHE* Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie CAN ” 69. 123 Dieke HENDRIKS WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED ” 70. 142 Hope INGLIS* Brother UK/OnForm GBR ” 71. 134 Sofia SCHUGAR Monarch Racing USA ” 72. 105 Katrine KLINKBY Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN ” 73. 115 Bex CLOWES Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR ” 74. 151 Isabel MAYES* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 75. 133 Claudia FERREIRA Monarch Racing USA ” 76. 54 Frankie HALL Das Hutchinson Brother UK GBR ” 77. 91 Yvonne DE VET JEGG DJR Academy NED +14” 78. 173 Rosemary SIMMONS Greenmount Cycling GBR ” 79. 161 Helena SHAPTON TC Racing GBR ” 80. 103 Frederikke AAFELDT Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN ” 81. 131 Helena Monarch Racing USA ” 82. 104 Sidsel MØLLER HVAS Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN ” 83. 102 Anna DAMGAARD Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN +18” 84. 143 Mia SMITH* Brother UK/OnForm IRL +4’12” 85. 112 Beth WATSON* Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR +11’49” 86. 24 Elena WALLACE* Cycling Ulster IRL +11’52” 87. 163 Ellen INGLIS* TC Racing GBR +11’53” 88. 164 Laura BESAMUSCA* TC Racing NED +12’15” 89. 35 Ingeborg KERS Team Noord Holland NED ” 90. 63 Amy HARVEY* Doltcini CycleDivision GBR ” 91. 34 Marie-Sophie RES Team Noord Holland NED ” 92. 162 Yvonne DORAN TC Racing IRL ” 93. 172 Claire O’SULLIVAN Greenmount Cycling IRL +12’18” 94. 193 Jennifer NEENAN UCD Cycling Club IRL ” 95. 61 Jacqui KINSEY* Doltcini CycleDivision GBR ” 96. 122 Anouk BIJL* WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED +12’22” 97. 121 Julia BESSELSEN WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED ” 98. 64 Peggy SIMKINS* Doltcini CycleDivision GBR +21’46” OTL 65 Lindsay TOY* Doltcini CycleDivision GBR DNF 194 Clodagh NÍ UCD Cycling Club IRL DNS 21 Erin CREIGHTON* Cycling Ulster IRL DNS 125 Michelle RITZEN WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED DNS 184 Mia RUTTERFORD* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR
General classification
Rk. Bib Name Team Nat. Gap 1. 52 Mia GRIFFIN Das Hutchinson Brother UK IRL 1h50’31” 2. 55 Robyn CLAY* Das Hutchinson Brother UK GBR +4” 3. 51 Caoimhe O BRIEN* Das Hutchinson Brother UK IRL +6” 4. 54 Frankie HALL Das Hutchinson Brother UK GBR +7” 5. 215 Katy HILL Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei GBR +8” 6. 183 Mari PORTON* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR +10” 7. 13 Aoife O’BRIEN* Ireland IRL ” 8. 124 Iris MULDER* WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED ” 9. 211 Marine LENEHAN Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei IRL ” 10. 145 Lotty DAWSON* Brother UK/OnForm GBR ” 11. 71 Camille LA Sweat CAN ” 12. 155 Evie SMITH* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 13. 191 Ellen MCDERMOTT UCD Cycling Club IRL ” 14. 22 Darcey HARKNESS* Cycling Ulster IRL ” 15. 3 Arenda VAN NWVG-Uplus NED ” 16. 182 Abigail MILLER* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR ” 17. 72 Emily FLYNN LA Sweat CAN ” 18. 135 Heidi FRANZ Monarch Racing USA ” 19. 74 Jessica BONILLA LA Sweat MEX ” 20. 171 Gabrielle FOX Greenmount Cycling Academy IRL ” 21. 165 Grace WARD* TC Racing GBR ” 22. 53 Lucy LEE Das Hutchinson Brother UK GBR ” 23. 212 Jayati HINE Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei GBR ” 24. 154 Lucy GLOVER* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 25. 14 Aliyah RAFFERTY* Ireland IRL ” 26. 12 Aine DOHERTY* Ireland IRL ” 27. 114 Nicola GREENWOOD Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR ” 28. 2 Wendy OOSTERWOUD NWVG-Uplus NED ” 29. 42 Martha STOKKELAND* Torelli NOR ” 30. 174 Amelia STAUNTON* Greenmount Cycling Academy GBR ” 31. 1 Manon DE BOER NWVG-Uplus NED ” 32. 111 Isabella JOHNSON* Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR ” 33. 73 Holly SIMONSON LA Sweat CAN ” 34. 153 Alice COLLING* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 35. 23 Jemma SPEARS Cycling Ulster IRL ” 36. 84 Jorja BOND* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 37. 94 Noor DEKKER JEGG DJR Academy NED ” 38. 132 Chloe MAUVAIS Monarch Racing USA ” 39. 113 Rebekah NASH Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR ” 40. 44 Elizabeth VAAGS Torelli CAN ” 41. 31 Rosan KOPER Team Noord Holland NED ” 42. 93 Jasmijn JEGG DJR Academy NED ” 43. 201 Anabelle THOMAS* Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie CAN ” 44. 213 Lizzie HERMOLLE Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei GBR ” 45. 141 Tuva MAULAND* Brother UK/OnForm NOR ” 46. 92 Miranda BIK JEGG DJR Academy NED ” 47. 33 Elyse SCHUIJT Team Noord Holland NED ” 48. 101 Gertrud RIIS MADSEN* Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN ” 49. 32 Demi KONST* Team Noord Holland NED ” 50. 82 Ella BRENNEMAN* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 51. 43 Annamarie LIPP Torelli NZL ” 52. 4 Iris SCHULTINGA NWVG-Uplus NED ” 53. 85 Sabrina HAYES* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 54. 83 Elizabeth GRIER* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 55. 41 Bronwyn MACGREGOR Torelli NZL ” 56. 192 Abi CONWAY* UCD Cycling Club IRL ” 57. 62 Hannah MCCLOREY* Doltcini CycleDivision IRL ” 58. 11 Lucy BENEZET MINNS* Ireland IRL ” 59. 181 Georgia LANCASTER* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR ” 60. 95 Amber VAN OORT JEGG DJR Academy NED ” 61. 144 Grace REYNOLDS Brother UK/OnForm IRL ” 62. 202 Jazmine LAVERGNE* Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie CAN ” 63. 5 Fleur SMITH NWVG-Uplus NED ” 64. 185 Amelia CEBAK* Tofauti Everyone Active GBR ” 65. 81 Betty HASSE* CCB p/b Levine Law Group USA ” 66. 152 Ruby OAKES* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 67. 214 Violinde DEBREEIJEN Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei NED ” 68. 75 Mariana VALADEZ LA Sweat MEX ” 69. 203 Valerie LAROCHE* Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie CAN ” 70. 123 Dieke HENDRIKS WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED ” 71. 142 Hope INGLIS* Brother UK/OnForm GBR ” 72. 134 Sofia SCHUGAR Monarch Racing USA ” 73. 105 Katrine KLINKBY Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN ” 74. 115 Bex CLOWES Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR ” 75. 151 Isabel MAYES* Shibden Apex RT GBR ” 76. 133 Claudia FERREIRA Monarch Racing USA ” 77. 103 Frederikke AAFELDT Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN +23” 78. 91 Yvonne DE VET JEGG DJR Academy NED +24” 79. 173 Rosemary SIMMONS Greenmount Cycling Academy GBR ” 80. 161 Helena SHAPTON TC Racing GBR ” 81. 131 Helena Monarch Racing USA ” 82. 104 Sidsel MØLLER HVAS Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN ” 83. 102 Anna DAMGAARD Team Aalborg Sparekassen DEN +28” 84. 143 Mia SMITH* Brother UK/OnForm IRL +4’22” 85. 112 Beth WATSON* Jadan Vive le Velo Glasdon GBR +11’59” 86. 24 Elena WALLACE* Cycling Ulster IRL +12’02” 87. 163 Ellen INGLIS* TC Racing GBR +12’03” 88. 164 Laura BESAMUSCA* TC Racing NED +12’25” 89. 35 Ingeborg KERS Team Noord Holland NED ” 90. 63 Amy HARVEY* Doltcini CycleDivision GBR ” 91. 34 Marie-Sophie RES Team Noord Holland NED ” 92. 162 Yvonne DORAN TC Racing IRL ” 93. 172 Claire O’SULLIVAN Greenmount Cycling Academy IRL +12’28” 94. 193 Jennifer NEENAN UCD Cycling Club IRL ” 95. 61 Jacqui KINSEY* Doltcini CycleDivision GBR ” 96. 122 Anouk BIJL* WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED +12’32” 97. 121 Julia BESSELSEN WV De Jonge Renner/Team NED ” 98. 64 Peggy SIMKINS* Doltcini CycleDivision GBR +21’56”
Rk.BibNameTeamNat.Gap 1.52Mia GRIFFINDas Hutchinson Brother UKIRL1h50’31” 2.55Robyn CLAY*Das Hutchinson Brother UKGBR+4” 3.51Caoimhe O BRIEN*Das Hutchinson Brother UKIRL+6” 4.54Frankie HALLDas Hutchinson Brother UKGBR+7” 5.215Katy HILLDan Morrissey Primor by PisseiGBR+8” 6.183Mari PORTON*Tofauti Everyone ActiveGBR+10” 7.13Aoife O’BRIEN*IrelandIRL” 8.124Iris MULDER*WV De Jonge Renner/TeamNED” 9.211Marine LENEHANDan Morrissey Primor by PisseiIRL” 10.145Lotty DAWSON*Brother UK/OnFormGBR” 11.71CamilleLA SweatCAN” 12.155Evie SMITH*Shibden Apex RTGBR” 13.191Ellen MCDERMOTTUCD Cycling ClubIRL” 14.22Darcey HARKNESS*Cycling UlsterIRL” 15.3Arenda VANNWVG-UplusNED” 16.182Abigail MILLER*Tofauti Everyone ActiveGBR” 17.72Emily FLYNNLA SweatCAN” 18.135Heidi FRANZMonarch RacingUSA” 19.74Jessica BONILLALA SweatMEX” 20.171Gabrielle FOXGreenmount Cycling AcademyIRL” 21.165Grace WARD*TC RacingGBR” 22.53Lucy LEEDas Hutchinson Brother UKGBR” 23.212Jayati HINEDan Morrissey Primor by PisseiGBR” 24.154Lucy GLOVER*Shibden Apex RTGBR” 25.14Aliyah RAFFERTY*IrelandIRL” 26.12Aine DOHERTY*IrelandIRL” 27.114Nicola GREENWOODJadan Vive le Velo GlasdonGBR” 28.2Wendy OOSTERWOUDNWVG-UplusNED” 29.42Martha STOKKELAND*TorelliNOR” 30.174Amelia STAUNTON*Greenmount Cycling AcademyGBR” 31.1Manon DE BOERNWVG-UplusNED” 32.111Isabella JOHNSON*Jadan Vive le Velo GlasdonGBR” 33.73Holly SIMONSONLA SweatCAN” 34.153Alice COLLING*Shibden Apex RTGBR” 35.23Jemma SPEARSCycling UlsterIRL” 36.84Jorja BOND*CCB p/b Levine Law GroupUSA” 37.94Noor DEKKERJEGG DJR AcademyNED” 38.132Chloe MAUVAISMonarch RacingUSA” 39.113Rebekah NASHJadan Vive le Velo GlasdonGBR” 40.44Elizabeth VAAGSTorelliCAN” 41.31Rosan KOPERTeam Noord HollandNED” 42.93JasmijnJEGG DJR AcademyNED” 43.201Anabelle THOMAS*Primeau Vélo Groupe AbadieCAN” 44.213Lizzie HERMOLLEDan Morrissey Primor by PisseiGBR” 45.141Tuva MAULAND*Brother UK/OnFormNOR” 46.92Miranda BIKJEGG DJR AcademyNED” 47.33Elyse SCHUIJTTeam Noord HollandNED” 48.101Gertrud RIIS MADSEN*Team Aalborg SparekassenDEN” 49.32Demi KONST*Team Noord HollandNED” 50.82Ella BRENNEMAN*CCB p/b Levine Law GroupUSA” 51.43Annamarie LIPPTorelliNZL” 52.4Iris SCHULTINGANWVG-UplusNED” 53.85Sabrina HAYES*CCB p/b Levine Law GroupUSA” 54.83Elizabeth GRIER*CCB p/b Levine Law GroupUSA” 55.41Bronwyn MACGREGORTorelliNZL” 56.192Abi CONWAY*UCD Cycling ClubIRL” 57.62Hannah MCCLOREY*Doltcini CycleDivisionIRL” 58.11Lucy BENEZET MINNS*IrelandIRL” 59.181Georgia LANCASTER*Tofauti Everyone ActiveGBR” 60.95Amber VAN OORTJEGG DJR AcademyNED” 61.144Grace REYNOLDSBrother UK/OnFormIRL” 62.202Jazmine LAVERGNE*Primeau Vélo Groupe AbadieCAN” 63.5Fleur SMITHNWVG-UplusNED” 64.185Amelia CEBAK*Tofauti Everyone ActiveGBR” 65.81Betty HASSE*CCB p/b Levine Law GroupUSA” 66.152Ruby OAKES*Shibden Apex RTGBR” 67.214Violinde DEBREEIJENDan Morrissey Primor by PisseiNED” 68.75Mariana VALADEZLA SweatMEX” 69.203Valerie LAROCHE*Primeau Vélo Groupe AbadieCAN” 70.123Dieke HENDRIKSWV De Jonge Renner/TeamNED” 71.142Hope INGLIS*Brother UK/OnFormGBR” 72.134Sofia SCHUGARMonarch RacingUSA” 73.105Katrine KLINKBYTeam Aalborg SparekassenDEN” 74.115Bex CLOWESJadan Vive le Velo GlasdonGBR” 75.151Isabel MAYES*Shibden Apex RTGBR” 76.133Claudia FERREIRAMonarch RacingUSA” 77.103Frederikke AAFELDTTeam Aalborg SparekassenDEN+23” 78.91Yvonne DE VETJEGG DJR AcademyNED+24” 79.173Rosemary SIMMONSGreenmount Cycling AcademyGBR” 80.161Helena SHAPTONTC RacingGBR” 81.131HelenaMonarch RacingUSA” 82.104Sidsel MØLLER HVASTeam Aalborg SparekassenDEN” 83.102Anna DAMGAARDTeam Aalborg SparekassenDEN+28” 84.143Mia SMITH*Brother UK/OnFormIRL+4’22” 85.112Beth WATSON*Jadan Vive le Velo GlasdonGBR+11’59” 86.24Elena WALLACE*Cycling UlsterIRL+12’02” 87.163Ellen INGLIS*TC RacingGBR+12’03” 88.164Laura BESAMUSCA*TC RacingNED+12’25” 89.35Ingeborg KERSTeam Noord HollandNED” 90.63Amy HARVEY*Doltcini CycleDivisionGBR” 91.34Marie-Sophie RESTeam Noord HollandNED” 92.162Yvonne DORANTC RacingIRL” 93.172Claire O’SULLIVANGreenmount Cycling AcademyIRL+12’28” 94.193Jennifer NEENANUCD Cycling ClubIRL” 95.61Jacqui KINSEY*Doltcini CycleDivisionGBR” 96.122Anouk BIJL*WV De Jonge Renner/TeamNED+12’32” 97.121Julia BESSELSENWV De Jonge Renner/TeamNED” 98.64Peggy SIMKINS*Doltcini CycleDivisionGBR+21’56”
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Irish rider Mia Griffin took a resounding victory in the opening stage of the Rás na mBan in Callan, County Kilkenny, repeating her triumph on the same stage last year. The Kilkenny native, fresh from representing Ireland at the Paris Olympics, showcased her sprinting prowess, powering across the line ahead of her DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK teammates Robyn Clay and Caoimhe O’Brien.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
Ireland’s premier women’s stage race, the Rás na mBan, began on Wednesday. The race, featuring 100 riders from 14 countries, kicked off from Kilkenny City for a 74-kilometre stage that included one categorised climb before two finishing circuits around Callan.
Early signs of dominance from the British UCI Continental DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK team were apparent when British rider Lucy Lee led the way over the category three Curragawn climb. She summited ahead of reigning overall champion Manon de Boer of NWVG-Uplus, securing the lead in the IVCA Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains classification.
The stage saw plenty of aggressive racing, with multiple attacks forming after the climb. A breakaway trio featuring DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK’s Frankie Hall, Team Aalborg Sparekassen’s Frederikke Aafeldt, and Team Dan Morrisey’s guest rider Katy Hill – who normally rides for the LDN Academy – managed to escape and establish a lead of nearly a minute with 25 kilometres to go. However, the peloton, driven by the sprinters’ teams, worked hard to close the gap, and the breakaway was reeled in with just three kilometres remaining.
Griffin’s teammates took control of the race in the final moments, setting a fast pace and positioning her perfectly for the sprint. Leading into the final corner, Griffin unleashed a powerful burst, leaving her rivals trailing in her wake. Clay finished second, while O’Brien rounded out the podium, marking a commanding performance for the DAS-Hutchinson-Brother UK team.
Griffin’s victory also saw her don the magenta leader’s jersey and secure the top spots in both the Cycling Ireland Points and Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider classifications. Clay’s impressive ride earned her the Sport Ireland Best Young Rider jersey.
Stage 2 promises more excitement as the race heads to County Laois for a 104-kilometre route from Portlaoise to Mountrath, which features the challenging ascent of The Cut in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Results
Stage 1
General classification
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