Top sports broadcaster British Eurosport has confirmed that it will present a half-hour highlights programme of this year’s edition of An Post Rás na mBan, Ireland’s top international stage race for women.
The programme is set to be aired for the first time on October 8th, just a few weeks after the conclusion of this year’s five-day, six stage event in Ennis, Co Clare.
The race, which will feature riders from 11 different nations including four current and two recent elite national champions, takes place on the roads of one of Ireland’s most scenic counties.
The event has grown in stature in recent years which is reflected in a quality entry of 107 riders getting set to do battle for the prestigious Rás na mBan title.
Highlights of the race will be broadcast in a half-hour programme due to be aired for the first time – schedule changes permitting – at 4pm on October 8th immediately after live coverage of the Binche-Tournai-Binche Frank Vandenbroucke Memorial from Belgium.
British Eurosport is the Home of Cycling, broadcasting over 30 events live including all three Grand Tours: the Tour de France, the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d’Italia, which starts in Ireland next year.
British Eurosport Managing Director David Kerr said, “We are very pleased to bring coverage of the Rás na mBan to our viewers for the first time. Cycling is a key sport for the channel and its continuing growth in popularity has been reflected in our successful ratings this season. We enjoyed our best ever audience for the Milan San Remo and Giro d’Italia earlier this year and we’re looking forward to broadcasting the upcoming Tour of Britain live.”
British Eurosport is available on BT TV, Sky, Virgin Media and UPC Ireland.
An Post Rás na mBan race director Valerie Considine has expressed her delight at the announcement. “Our race is growing in stature and this opportunity reflects the overall increase in interest in women’s bike racing in general,” says Considine.
“The generous support of An Post, Clare County Council and National Dairy Council has allowed us to bring the race to a much wider audience with this broadcast, an important development for the event.”
