"I'm absolutely buzzing" - McWilliam reigns in Kilkenny to take Rás na mBan crown

British rider Alice McWilliam claimed the overall Rás na mBan title for 2025 in Kilkenny City this afternoon, finishing in second place behind France’s Océane Goergen (Ladynamips RV), while Dane Olympia Norrid-Mortensen (Torelli) rounded out the podium in third in the hectic city centre circuit race.

Team Phoenix rider McWilliam regained control of the magenta jersey from Noémie Abgrall (Ladynamips RVC) after topping the timing sheet in this morning’s 2.5km time trial around Kilkenny Castle, going on to claim a total of nine bonus seconds in the criterium to extend her advantage over the French National Road Race Champion.

Noémie Abgrall (second), race winner Alice McWilliam and Noor Dekker (third) celebrate on the podium PICTURE: Lorraine O’Sullivan

Speaking about her general classification success after the stage, McWilliam reflected, "I'm absolutely delighted, it was a big goal coming into this race. I didn't quite get what I wanted in terms of a stage win early on, but the fact that I retained the magenta jersey after winning the TT this morning, I'm absolutely buzzing."

McWilliam began the day third in the overall standings, four seconds behind Abgrall, with stage three victor Noor Dekker splitting the two in second place at three seconds.

The Cambridge native put in a storming time trial performance in miserable weather conditions, setting the fastest time of 3m32s on the technical 2.5km course, five seconds faster than Dekker in fifth, with Abgrall relinquishing the magenta jersey after finishing eight seconds behind McWilliam in sixth.

That stage five result meant the Team Phoenix rider began the sixth and final stage with a four-second advantage over both Abgrall and Dekker, which the Briton would extend by claiming the three bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint, followed by a further six bonus seconds for finishing second on the stage.

A fierce pace throughout the sixth stage limited the potential for attacks by McWilliam’s nearest rivals, ensuring the contest ultimately came down to a sprint finish in front of Kilkenny Castle.

French rider Océane Goergen once again demonstrated her significant sprinting prowess, sealing a third stage victory from six, with McWilliam crossing the line a couple of bike lengths behind in second.

Denmark’s Olympia Norrid-Mortensen followed McWilliam across the line in third, thus securing the Sport Ireland Best Young Rider classification.

Linda Kelly won the Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider classification

Abgrall’s strong performances in the hills all week helped her to secure the final IVCA Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains jersey, while Linda Kelly came home safely in the main bunch stage six to secure victory in the Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Rider classification.

McWilliam’s consistently high stage placings meant that she also claimed the Cycling Ireland Points jersey to accompany the Rás na mBan magenta jersey as overall winner.

Breton rider Abgrall ends the week in second place overall,12 seconds behind McWilliam while last year’s runner-up Noor Dekker made it two GC podiums in succession for the Dutchwoman with a third place finish.

Smurfit Westrock CT’s strength in depth positioned them at the top of the Team Classification standings, while Cycling Ireland Women’s Commission ended the week as winners of the Paddy Doran Best Irish Team Classification.