Alma Rasmussen (Denmark National Team) won the opening stage of the 20th Rs na mBan in Freshford on Wednesday 2 September with a 30km solo escape, denying the sprinters as Aoife OBrien and Erin Creighton took second and third for Ireland.A 22-team peloton drawn from 14 nations rolled out of Kilkenny City for the 98km stage, which took in three categorised climbs. Several attacks came to nothing before the IVCA Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains climb at Kearneys Hill, where 2023 Rs na mBan champion Manon de Boer (WV Breda) took maximum points a statement from a rider who has twice won the mountains classification here.The exposed tailwind section that followed proved fertile ground. Kathrine Madsen (Team Friis) built a solid lead before being joined by chasers including her compatriot Rasmussen, who then took maximum points on the first of two ascents of Rathealy. A lack of co-operation in the leading group gave the Dane her opening, and she pushed on alone with more than 30km remaining.The 19-year-old, fresh from racing the Tour of Britain last month for her trade team Hitec Products-Fluid Control, opened 1:30 as her fellow escapees were swept up. The gap fell rapidly on the approach to the second and longer ascent of Rathealy, but Rasmussen matched the pace being set behind and still held 38 seconds at the summit.The sprinters teams drove the descent into Freshford, and she crossed the line 15 seconds clear in 2:37:09, with OBrien (Ireland National Team) leading the bunch home from Creighton (Cycling Ulster).I definitely thought they would catch me, Rasmussen said afterwards, revealing she had planned to go even earlier. At the bottom of the last climb I was thinking they would probably get me before the top, so I just gave it everything. Im so grateful that it held.Rasmussen starts stage 2 in the magenta jersey and also leads the Cycling Ireland points, IVCA Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains and Sport Ireland best young rider classifications. Creightons third place gives her the Kilkenny County Council best Irish rider award, and she sits third overall at 21 seconds with OBrien second at 19.Thursdays second stage returns to County Wexford, 97km starting and finishing in Gorey.JerseysJERJerseys After Stage 1Leaders and, where different, the rider wearing the jerseyGCAlma RASMUSSEN (13)Denmark National Team magenta jersey2:36:59PTSAoife OBRIEN (1)Ireland National Team worn on the roadQOMNoemie GARNIER (83)Vende Fminine RVC worn on the roadYTHErin Grace CREIGHTON (32)Cycling Ulster worn on the roadIRLErin Grace CREIGHTON (32)Cycling Ulster best Irish riderTMDENMARK NATIONAL TEAMBest team leads the team classificationStage 1 ResultSTGStage 1 ResultKilkenny Freshford 98km Wed 2 September 2026 87 finishers1Alma RASMUSSEN (13)Denmark National Team 2:37:092Aoife OBRIEN (1)Ireland National Team +153Erin Grace CREIGHTON (32)Cycling Ulster +154Leila GSCHWENTNER (52)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+155Oceane GOERGAN (81)Vende Fminine RVC+156Heleen GIERVELD (72)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+157Gabrielle FOX (34)Cycling Ulster+158Helena MERK (104)Monarch Racing+159Johanne RESEN (63)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord Law+1510Silje WEITZE ANTVORSKOV (144)Team Friis+1511Emma JEFFERS (3)Ireland National Team+1512Olympia NORRID MORTENSEN (124)Torelli+1513Marthe STOKKLAND (122)Torelli+1514Annie GILBERT (101)Monarch Racing+1515Noemie GARNIER (83)Vende Fminine RVC+1516Amy HENCHOZ (91)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+1517Amelia CEBAK (51)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+1518Greta LAWLESS (4)Ireland National Team+1519Ida KETELSEN (14)Denmark National Team+1520Aine DOHERTY (33)Cycling Ulster+1521Sannah ZANAM (182)Jadan Glasdon+1522Elena DAY (55)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+1523Manon DE BOER (71)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+1524Aliyah RAFFERTY (31)Cycling Ulster+1525Esther WONG (2)Ireland National Team+1526Elisa LUO (103)Monarch Racing+1527Christina Bragh LORENZEN (11)Denmark National Team+1528Aoife ODONOVAN (41)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+1529Loane MENAGER (85)Vende Fminine RVC+1530Mille Foldager NIELSEN (12)Denmark National Team+1531Floraine BERNARD (82)Vende Fminine RVC+1532Ella TANDY (93)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+1533Ruby OAKES (94)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+1534Lea PITARD (155)Tan Racing+1535Noor DEKKER (75)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+1536Maeve GALLAGHER (134)Tuam Endo Ireland+1537Noor SMIT (73)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+1538Emer HEVERIN (5)Ireland National Team+1539Ruby BLANC (172)Shay Murphy Development Team+2140Julie Marckmann SOERENSEN (64)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord Law+2141Abi CONWAY (42)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+2142Bette HAAS (132)Tuam Endo Ireland+2543Mia SMITH (44)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+2544Catrine PORSDAL (142)Team Friis+2545Alisha TEERINK (161)Minigigs WVB+2546Elena WU-YAN (184)Jadan Glasdon+2547Justine CHEVRIEUX (84)Vende Fminine RVC+4048Lydia LOUW (133)Tuam Endo Ireland+5149Kitija SILTUMNA (163)Minigigs WVB+1:0050Berdine BAKKER (111)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+1:1151Roos AARTS (164)Minigigs WVB+1:4752Caroline POULSEN (141)Team Friis+2:5153Kamma BERGHOLT (15)Denmark National Team+2:5154Emma DRESSLER (121)Torelli+2:5155Natasha BORNHORST (135)Tuam Endo Ireland+2:5356Sandra LOPEZ (152)Tan Racing+4:0857Kathrine MADSEN (143)Team Friis+4:5558Zoja FERLEZ (125)Torelli+5:3059Rachel NEWELL (45)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+5:3260Lucy GLOVER (53)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+8:4761Jennifer CAVERLY (23)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+8:4762Ellen N CLEIRIGH (43)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+8:4763Isabella JOHNSON (185)Jadan Glasdon+8:4764Kirsten PARREN (113)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+9:3265Anouk BIJL (162)Minigigs WVB+10:5366Miranda BIK (74)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+10:5367Sarah DIAMOND (25)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+10:5568Rhiannon DOLAN (114)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+11:2869Breda MURPHY (151)Tan Racing+11:2870Yva GELUK (165)Minigigs WVB+11:2871Femke DE GRAAFF (115)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+11:2872Jennifer NEENAN (24)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+11:2873Ysabella HUELE (173)Shay Murphy Development Team+15:2574Claire DIFFLEY (21)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+15:2575Doireann KILLEEN (22)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+15:2576Amanda MUFF (61)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord Law+15:3977Abbie TAYLOR (183)Jadan Glasdon+15:3978Amy KINSELLA (131)Tuam Endo Ireland+15:5579Ffion DOLAN (171)Shay Murphy Development Team+16:1280Ilse LA BRIJN (112)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+17:1581Joanne N MHATHUNA (154)Tan Racing+17:1782Elena WALLACE (35)Cycling Ulster+17:1783Jasmin SYKES (181)Jadan Glasdon+26:3084Abi CLAYTON (92)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+28:4985Rosie WAYLAND (95)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+29:4986Claudia FERREIRA (102)Monarch Racing+29:4987Tamara ZEIN (153)Tan Racing+29:49DNFDid Not Finish / Did Not StartStage 1 1 DNF, 3 DNSDNFNyo CI HUI (123)TorelliDNSCassidy HICKEY (54)Smurfit Westrock Cycling TeamDNSEmely RAVN (62)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord LawDNSSofie CARSTENSEN (65)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord LawClassifications After Stage 1GCGeneral ClassificationAfter stage 1 87 riders magenta jersey1Alma RASMUSSEN (13)Denmark National Team2:36:592Aoife OBRIEN (1)Ireland National Team+193Erin Grace CREIGHTON (32)Cycling Ulster+214Leila GSCHWENTNER (52)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+255Oceane GOERGAN (81)Vende Fminine RVC+256Heleen GIERVELD (72)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+257Gabrielle FOX (34)Cycling Ulster+258Helena MERK (104)Monarch Racing+259Johanne RESEN (63)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord Law+2510Silje WEITZE ANTVORSKOV (144)Team Friis+2511Emma JEFFERS (3)Ireland National Team+2512Olympia NORRID MORTENSEN (124)Torelli+2513Marthe STOKKLAND (122)Torelli+2514Annie GILBERT (101)Monarch Racing+2515Noemie GARNIER (83)Vende Fminine RVC+2516Amy HENCHOZ (91)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+2517Amelia CEBAK (51)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+2518Greta LAWLESS (4)Ireland National Team+2519Ida KETELSEN (14)Denmark National Team+2520Aine DOHERTY (33)Cycling Ulster+2521Sannah ZANAM (182)Jadan Glasdon+2522Elena DAY (55)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+2523Manon DE BOER (71)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+2524Aliyah RAFFERTY (31)Cycling Ulster+2525Esther WONG (2)Ireland National Team+2526Elisa LUO (103)Monarch Racing+2527Christina Bragh LORENZEN (11)Denmark National Team+2528Aoife ODONOVAN (41)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+2529Loane MENAGER (85)Vende Fminine RVC+2530Mille Foldager NIELSEN (12)Denmark National Team+2531Floraine BERNARD (82)Vende Fminine RVC+2532Ella TANDY (93)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+2533Ruby OAKES (94)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+2534Lea PITARD (155)Tan Racing+2535Noor DEKKER (75)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+2536Maeve GALLAGHER (134)Tuam Endo Ireland+2537Noor SMIT (73)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+2538Emer HEVERIN (5)Ireland National Team+2539Ruby BLANC (172)Shay Murphy Development Team+3140Julie Marckmann SOERENSEN (64)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord Law+3141Abi CONWAY (42)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+3142Bette HAAS (132)Tuam Endo Ireland+3543Mia SMITH (44)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+3544Catrine PORSDAL (142)Team Friis+3545Alisha TEERINK (161)Minigigs WVB+3546Elena WU-YAN (184)Jadan Glasdon+3547Justine CHEVRIEUX (84)Vende Fminine RVC+5048Lydia LOUW (133)Tuam Endo Ireland+1:0149Kitija SILTUMNA (163)Minigigs WVB+1:1050Berdine BAKKER (111)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+1:2151Roos AARTS (164)Minigigs WVB+1:5752Caroline POULSEN (141)Team Friis+3:0153Kamma BERGHOLT (15)Denmark National Team+3:0154Emma DRESSLER (121)Torelli+3:0155Natasha BORNHORST (135)Tuam Endo Ireland+3:0356Sandra LOPEZ (152)Tan Racing+4:1857Kathrine MADSEN (143)Team Friis+5:0558Zoja FERLEZ (125)Torelli+5:4059Rachel NEWELL (45)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+5:4260Lucy GLOVER (53)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+8:5761Jennifer CAVERLY (23)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+8:5762Ellen N CLEIRIGH (43)Cycling Ireland Womens Commission+8:5763Isabella JOHNSON (185)Jadan Glasdon+8:5764Kirsten PARREN (113)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+9:4265Anouk BIJL (162)Minigigs WVB+11:0366Miranda BIK (74)WV Breda Women Cycling Team+11:0367Sarah DIAMOND (25)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+11:0568Rhiannon DOLAN (114)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+11:3869Breda MURPHY (151)Tan Racing+11:3870Yva GELUK (165)Minigigs WVB+11:3871Femke DE GRAAFF (115)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+11:3872Jennifer NEENAN (24)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+11:3873Ysabella HUELE (173)Shay Murphy Development Team+15:3574Claire DIFFLEY (21)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+15:3575Doireann KILLEEN (22)Cycling Leinster Senior Team+15:3576Amanda MUFF (61)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord Law+15:4977Abbie TAYLOR (183)Jadan Glasdon+15:4978Amy KINSELLA (131)Tuam Endo Ireland+16:0579Ffion DOLAN (171)Shay Murphy Development Team+16:2280Ilse LA BRIJN (112)RWC Ahoy Women Cycling+17:2581Joanne N MHATHUNA (154)Tan Racing+17:2782Elena WALLACE (35)Cycling Ulster+17:2783Jasmin SYKES (181)Jadan Glasdon+26:4084Abi CLAYTON (92)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+28:5985Rosie WAYLAND (95)FTP-Fulfil The Potential-Racing+29:5986Claudia FERREIRA (102)Monarch Racing+29:5987Tamara ZEIN (153)Tan Racing+29:59PTSPoints ClassificationOverall after stage 1 Rasmussen and OBrien level on 151Alma RASMUSSEN (13)Denmark National Team15 pts2Aoife OBRIEN (1)Ireland National Team15 pts3Erin Grace CREIGHTON (32)Cycling Ulster10 pts4Leila GSCHWENTNER (52)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team8 pts5Oceane GOERGAN (81)Vende Fminine RVC6 pts6Emma JEFFERS (3)Ireland National Team5 pts7Heleen GIERVELD (72)WV Breda Women Cycling Team5 pts8Gabrielle FOX (34)Cycling Ulster4 pts9Helena MERK (104)Monarch Racing3 pts10Johanne RESEN (63)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord Law2 pts11Lucy GLOVER (53)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team2 pts12Silje WEITZE ANTVORSKOV (144)Team Friis1 pt13Amelia CEBAK (51)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team1 ptQOMMountains ClassificationThree category 3 climbs Kearneys Hill and Rathealy twice1Alma RASMUSSEN (13)Denmark National Team10 pts2Noemie GARNIER (83)Vende Fminine RVC6 pts3Manon DE BOER (71)WV Breda Women Cycling Team5 pts4Aliyah RAFFERTY (31)Cycling Ulster3 ptsYTHYoung Rider ClassificationOverall after stage 1 top 10 of 231Alma RASMUSSEN (13)Denmark National Team2:36:592Aoife OBRIEN (1)Ireland National Team+193Erin Grace CREIGHTON (32)Cycling Ulster+214Johanne RESEN (63)AL Sydbank Quooker Njord Law+255Silje WEITZE ANTVORSKOV (144)Team Friis+256Emma JEFFERS (3)Ireland National Team+257Olympia NORRID MORTENSEN (124)Torelli+258Marthe STOKKLAND (122)Torelli+259Amelia CEBAK (51)Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team+2510Greta LAWLESS (4)Ireland National Team+25TMTeam ClassificationOverall after stage 1 top 10 of 19 teams1DENMARK NATIONAL TEAM7:51:572CYCLING ULSTER+153IRELAND NATIONAL TEAM+154SMURFIT WESTROCK CYCLING TEAM+155MONARCH RACING+156VENDE FMININE RVC+157WV BREDA WOMEN CYCLING TEAM+158FTP-FULFIL THE POTENTIAL-RACING+159CYCLING IRELAND WOMENS COMMISSION+3110TUAM ENDO IRELAND+1:01IRLPaddy Doran Best Irish TeamOverall after stage 1 four Irish teams1CYCLING ULSTER7:52:122CYCLING IRELAND WOMENS COMMISSION+163TUAM ENDO IRELAND+15:504CYCLING LEINSTER SENIOR TEAM+30:25Stage 1 PhotosPhotography by Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026The peloton on the road to Freshford Pic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026The peloton on the road to Freshford Pic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026The peloton on the road to Freshford Pic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Irelands Greta Lawless leads the chasing bunchPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Stage winner Alma Rasmussen of the Danish team leads on the roadPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026The peloton on the road to FreshfordPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026The peloton heads up the 1st climb of the day at TickincorPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen of the Danish team who won todays stage and takes the race leaders jersey.Pic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen on the Danish team wins todays stagePic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen on the Danish team wins todays stagePic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen on the Danish team wins todays stagePic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen of the Danish team (centre) celebrate with her teammates after winning the first stage and taking the race leaders jersey Pic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026A rider receives attention at the stage end after a crashPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026(L-R) 2nd placed Aoife OBrien Team Ireland, Alma Rasmussen on the Danish team 1st and 3rd placed Erin Creighton of Team UlsterPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen of the Danish team in the Just -Print.ie Stage Winners jerseyPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Erin Creighton of Team Ulster team in the Kilkenny County Council Best Irish Riders jerseyPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen of the Danish team in the Sport Ireland Best Young Riders jerseyPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen of the Danish team in the Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains jerseyPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen of the Danish team in the Cycling Ireland Points Classification jerseyPic : Lorraine OSullivanPRESS RELEASENO REPRODUCTION FEE.Ras na mBan Stage 1 Kilkenny - Freshford 2/9/2026Alma Rasmussen of the Danish team in the Race Leaders jerseyPic : Lorraine OSullivan20 photosThe post Rs na mBan 2026 Stage 1 Full Results & Photos appeared first on IrishCyclingNews.com | Irish Cycling News | IrishCycling.