Mortensen takes cliffhanger victory in Rás na mBan, Aoife O’Brien wins points competition
Danish cyclist Olympia Norrid-Mortensen won the Rás na mBan race after a strong performance in the final time trials. Irish riders also saw success, with Aoife O’Brien winning the points classification and the Ireland squad taking the team title.
Why it matters
This event highlights the development of women's cycling and provides a platform for emerging talent in the sport.
Danish rider Olympia Norrid-Mortensen triumphed on the final day of Rás na mBan on Sunday, overturning a four-second deficit to Noemie Garnier (Vendée Féminine RVC) when she won the 2.5km morning time trial, and then defending a fragile one-second lead in the concluding time trial.
Garnier was only ninth in the time trial, conceding the race leader’s magenta jersey and while she chased the time bonus at the end of the criterium she just missed out by placing fourth. Had she taken third she would have secured a two-second time bonus and won overall. Her team-mate, Océane Goergen (Vendée Féminine RVC), took the stage win.
“I was so nervous. I was sitting in the car shaking pre-race, but then I think the nerves gave me a bit of adrenaline,” Mortensen said after her final victory.
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