BY MICHAEL O’LEARY
Photo Credit:- Vicky Comerford
Next week will see the return of one of the highlights of the year in Kilkenny, The Rás na mBan. The Rás na mBan begins next Wednesday 4th September, before concluding outside Kilkenny Castle on Sunday week 8th September.
The race began in 2006, and it was moved to Kilkenny in 2016 where it has remained since.
One of the star attractions of this years Rás will be the appearance of recent Olympian Mia Griffin, who was twice a stage winner last year in both Callan and Tramore. Mia had a very positive experience in Paris, as she was part of The Ireland Team that set a National Record in The Womens Team Pursuit as they finished 9th overall.
It will be most welcoming for The Glenmore native to be competing on home territory, particularly after having such a successful Rás last year.
As mentioned, Mia won the first stage in Callan last year and the first stage again this year will be from Kilkenny to Callan over 74.2KM.
Leaving Kilkenny, the riders will pass through Danesfort, Stoneyford, Knocktopher, Newmarket, Kilmaganny and Windgap before finishing in Callan.
When the cyclists arrive into Callan, they will do two laps of a 13KM finishing circuit where the spectators at the finishing line will have three chances to see the riders.
Onto stage 2 on Thursday September 5th, with a 105KM route taking the riders from Portlaoise to Mountrath passing by Stradbally which is home to Electric Picnic that took place recently.
Stage 3 on Friday September 6th will see the riders undergo a 104KM route from Kilkenny to Gorey passing through Gowran, Goresbridge and onto Borris and Ballymurphy in Co. Carlow, before heading into Co. Wexford where the riders will finish in Gorey.
Stage 4 on Saturday September 7th is a 101KM stage from Kilkenny to The Rower passing through Kells, Dunnamaggin, Knocktopher, Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown and Inistioge before passing through The Rower.
However, when the cyclists pass through The Rower they still have 45KM ahead of them to negotiate.
They will move on to Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown before returning to The Rower via Inistioge to finish the stage.
Finally, the final day of action on Sunday 8th September will have two seperate stages in Kilkenny with the 2.5KM Time Trial followed by 5 circuit laps to finish The Rás at The Parade.
It promises to be another thrilling spectacle in another top class International field, as Irelands top International riders will compete along with the top local riders and competitors from around the world.
