2012 Route

Ras na mBan 2012 was comprised of six stages over five days from September 9th to 13th.

The event included almost 400km of racing on some of the most famous roads in Irish cycling.

In a break with tradition the 2012 event started on a Sunday and featured a short road stage followed by a 3km time trial in the afternoon of the first day.

The ‘Queen stage’ included the climbs of Ballaghabearna and Ballaghasheen for the first time along with the regular ascent of Coomaciste as it worked its way across some of the most spectacular scenery in the Ring of Kerry.

Sunday’s Sneem Hotel Stage One is the second shortest road stage of the race at 66km and includes just two short category three drags to test riders and establish a leader in the IVCA Queen of the Mountains classification.

The stage two three kilometre WomensCycling.ie time trial on Sunday afternoon is a new challenge for the riders. With a gently rising profile, it will suit powerful riders over the pure climbers.

Stage three on Monday morning is the 80km Star Sailing Healy Pass stage over roads that went a long way to deciding the final outcome of last year’s general classification.

The stage, including ascents of Knockanoughanish and Caha Pass as well the climb of Healy pass, was a landslide winner in the vote for the most popular stage of the race by riders and support crew last year.

Tuesday’s Fixx Coffee House supported Valentia Island stage is the joint longest at 95km and includes just two categorised climbs, Coomaciste and Geokaun Mountain, and offers an opportunity for the ‘rouleurs’ to get in the mix for stage honours.

The penultimate stage on Wednesday is the An Post Queen Stage over 95km and three first category climbs of Ballaghabearna, Ballaghasheen and Coomaciste.

Riders must coax tired legs into action just one more time for Thursday’s brief Bracken Clinic Moll’s Gap sixth stage over just 57km with the climbs of Moll’s Gap and Carraig na Gaoithe presenting the final opportunity for a change to the final classification order.