Riders from 14 nations contested six stages across Kilkenny, Wexford, Tipperary and Carlow, delivering dramatic GC battles, solo attacks and a thrilling finale in Kilkenny City to conclude the 20th edition of Rás na mBan.
Stage 1: Kilkenny to Freshford (98 km)
The race opened with an attacking day featuring three categorised climbs. After early moves were neutralised, Alma Rasmussen, Team Denmark, took maximum points on the first Rathealy ascent and launched a bold solo attack more than 30 km from the finish.
The 19-year-old built a lead of 1:30 before the peloton closed in on the second Rathealy climb, yet she dug deep to hold a 15-second advantage into Freshford. Aoife O’Brien, Ireland National Team, led the bunch for second, with Erin Creighton, Cycling Ulster, third.
Rasmussen claimed the magenta jersey plus the points, mountains and best young rider leads, while Creighton took the best Irish rider classification.
Stage 2: Gorey Circuit (97 km)
An undulating stage in County Wexford produced early drama when race leader Rasmussen was delayed by a crash and forced into a lengthy chase. She rejoined only to lose contact again on Sliabh Buí.
Team Ireland seized control and set up a dominant sprint finish in Gorey. Aoife O’Brien powered to victory ahead of teammates Emma Jeffers and Emer Heverin for a clean Ireland National Team 1-2-3.
O’Brien moved into the overall lead and also took the points and best young rider jerseys. Gabrielle Fox assumed the best Irish rider lead after Creighton abandoned, while Noémie Garnier, Vendée Féminine RVC, edged into the mountains classification lead.
Stage 3: Carrick-on-Suir Circuit (103 km)
A new route centred on the steep category-one Tickincor climb (gradients over 16%) proved decisive. An early two-rider break was swept up on the ascent, which shattered the peloton and left just five riders at the front.
Elena Day was dropped on the final categorised climb at Seskin, leaving a four-rider group to contest the finish. Silje Weitze Antvorskov, Team Friis, won the sprint ahead of Noémie Garnier and Olympia Norrid-Mortensen, with Aliyah Rafferty finishing a close fourth.
Antvorskov seized the magenta jersey by four seconds over Garnier and also led the best young rider standings. Rafferty moved into the best Irish rider lead while O’Brien retained a strong grip on the points classification.
Stage 4: Carlow – Corrabut Gap Summit Finish (89 km)
The queen stage was defined by the double ascent of the first-category Corrabut Gap on Mount Leinster. The peloton stayed intact until the first climb, where the high pace split the field. On the second ascent, Noor Dekker, WV Breda Women Cycling Team, attacked with 10 km remaining, briefly joined by Johanne Resen before pressing on alone.
Despite a strong chase by Garnier’s teammates, Dekker held on to win by 10 seconds from Garnier and Norrid-Mortensen. Garnier’s second place lifted her into the overall lead, with Norrid-Mortensen just four seconds behind and previous leader Antvorskov third at 17 seconds.
O’Brien scored in the intermediate sprints to cement her points lead, Norrid-Mortensen took over the best young rider standings, and Rafferty strengthened her best Irish rider position.
Stage 5: Kilkenny Castle Time Trial (2.5 km)
The short, intense individual time trial around Kilkenny Castle produced a dramatic general classification shake-up. Olympia Norrid-Mortensen, Torelli, started four seconds behind overnight leader Garnier and produced a powerful ride to win the stage, finishing five seconds faster than the French rider and seizing the magenta jersey by a single second.
Silje Weitze Antvorskov took second, with 17-year-old Team Ireland rider Emer Heverin an impressive third; the podium was separated by less than one second. The slender overall margin set up a tense final criterium, with time bonuses available for the top three.
Stage 6: Kilkenny Criterium
The traditional one-hour-plus-five-laps circuit race around Kilkenny Castle delivered constant action. Aoife O’Brien and Christina Bragh Lorenzen, Team Denmark, formed an early break that gained nearly 30 seconds and secured O’Brien’s points title at the intermediate sprint. The pair were caught with five laps remaining.
In the bunch sprint, Océane Goergen, Vendée Féminine RVC, powered clear to win, repeating her 2025 stage success, ahead of Emma Jeffers and Amelia Cebak. Garnier finished fourth just outside the bonus seconds that would have reclaimed the overall lead, while Norrid-Mortensen came home sixth to defend her one-second advantage and claim overall victory.
2026 Rás na mBan Final GC
💜 Final GC
1 Olympia NORRID MORTENSEN – Torelli 11h 47′ 06”
2 Noemie GARNIER – Vendée Féminine RVC +1”
3 Silje WEITZE ANTVORSKOV – Team Friis +14′
💙 Final Points
1 Aoife O’BRIEN – Ireland National Team 45pt
2 Emma JEFFERS – Ireland National Team 38pt
3 Amelia CEBAK – Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team 28pt
🧡 Final QOM
1 Noemie GARNIER – Vendée Féminine RVC 57pt
2 Olympia NORRID MORTENSEN – Torelli 39pt
3 Elena DAY – Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team 25pt
🤍 Final Young Rider
1 Olympia NORRID MORTENSEN – Torelli 11h 47′ 06”
2 Silje WEITZE ANTVORSKOV – Team Friis +14”
3 Aliyah RAFFERTY – Cycling Ulster +33″
💚 Final Best Irish Rider
1 Aliyah RAFFERTY – Cycling Ulster 11h 47′ 39”
2 Maeve GALLAGHER – Tuam Endo Ireland +1′ 03″
3 Gabrielle FOX – Cycling Ulster +2′ 25″
Final Team
1 Ireland National Team 35h 24′ 57”
2 Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team +2’36”
3 WV Breda Women Cycling Team +5’15”
Final Irish Team
1 Cycling Ulster 35h 39′ 17”
2 Cycling Ireland Women’s Commission +24′ 21”
3 Tuam Endo Ireland +1h21’52”
