The organisers of An Post Rás na mBan have confirmed entries for a number of international teams with two squads from the Unites States set to make their debuts at Ireland’s top international stage race for women.
Ritte Chicks and Peanut Butter & Co Human Zoom Confirmed for Ennis
Ritte Women’s Team from California and the Pennsylvania-based Peanut Butter & Co Human Zoom squad have confirmed that they will be the first teams from the US to take part in the event.
The Ritte Women (known as the Ritte Chicks) are from Los Angeles, the home of the Ritte Bicycles company and bring a colourful attitude to their racing. “We race to win,” they say, but victory isn’t their only goal; their mission is “to spread the joy of cycling and win fans to the sport.”
The team riders selected for An Post Rás na mBan in September are Kelli Samuelson, Jen Whalen, Peta Takai, Erin Lamb and Amanda Schaper. “Several of us are of Irish descent and really excited to visit the place where our families are from,” says Erin Lamb.
Spencer Canon, CEO Ritte Bicycles, is looking forward to bringing a team to Ireland’s top stage race “As title sponsor of the Ritte Women’s Team, I think the Rás na mBan is a great opportunity to share our brand to other parts of the world,” says Canon. “Ireland especially, because I think they can appreciate our attitude toward the sport.”
Meanwhile, from the other side of the US comes Peanut Butter & Co Human Zoom, a Philadelphia-based regional team which will choose its squad for Rás na mBan from a roster of over 25 riders. Their team boss is well-known Dublin rider Ian Wogan who is now based in the US.
“Our team is very excited about the opportunity to race on Irish Roads,” says Ian. “We are sorting out rosters at the moment and hope to have the team locked down by end of June.”
Race organiser Valerie Considine is excited by the commitment from two squads from the US as plans progress for the eighth edition of Rás na mBan, the first in County Clare.
“Team entries are already ahead of last year at this point and I’m delighted we’ll have two squads from the US,” says Considine. “Both teams can claim Irish heritage and in the year of The Gathering, it’ll be great to welcome them to County Clare for what’s set to be the best edition of the race so far.”
Further team announcements will follow in the coming weeks.
