Englishwoman Hannah Barnes has taken stage one of Rás na mBan, Ireland’s premier women’s cycling event which is taking place in Clare this week.
Barnes was first across the line in last evening’s opening test, completing the 56km route which started and finished in Ennis, and Took in Maghera, Tulla, Crusheen and Barefield in under one hour and thirty minutes.
Former Olympic medallist for Ireland Sonia O’Sullivan crossed the line in 100th position.
The second stage today is a longer test of 104km, and begins in Ennis before taking in Corofin, Lisdoonvarna and the famous Corkscrew Hill, Blackhead, Ballyvaughan and Bellharbour before finishing in Carron.
Elsewhere, Nicolas Roche has climbed up to fifth overall after a 10th place finish in yesterays 17th stage of the Vuelta a Espana.