Rás na mBan: Antvorskov takes leader's jersey as Rafferty shines for Ulster
The Rás na mBan overall lead changed hands for the third time in three days on Friday, as Danish rider Silje Antvorskov surged to the front, edging out stage 2 winner Aoife O'Brien of the Irish national team. The decisive move came on the category one climb of Tickincor, inside the final 32 kilometres of the stage to Carrick on Suir, where O'Brien was distanced and Cycling Ulster's Aliyah Rafferty proved the strongest of the home riders.
Rafferty and Antvorskov were part of a five-woman breakaway that quickly became four, and they stayed together over the short, steep Seskin Hill closer to the finish. The stage was decided in a tense sprint, with Antvorskov beating Frenchwoman Noemie Garnier, fellow Dane Olympia Norrid Mortensen, and Rafferty to take the win.
“I tried driving it hard from the bottom to the top because I know that is the way I can climb the best,” Antvorskov said of Tickincor. “And when we reached the top we were only four people. We worked together the rest of the race. Then I tried sprinting. It was flat and the wind was with me. It was possible.”
Who is Aliyah Rafferty?
Rafferty, just 18 years old, is the sister of Irish professional Darren Rafferty and his younger brother Adam, a 20-year-old semi-pro expected to turn professional at the end of this season. She has already shown remarkable ability, winning both the junior road race and time trial national championships last year and finishing seventh overall against the seniors in Rás na mBan.
Now in the under 23 ranks, she further underlined her potential on Friday by being the only Irish rider able to go with the decisive breakaway.
“There were four of us in the end of the last 20-odd-K. We just worked well together and then over the last climb I really pressed on,” she said. “But it didn't break up and in the end it came down to a sprint.
“Unfortunately I came fourth out of the four of us but I think I can still be really happy with finishing in the front group. I am really pleased that I can take home the best Irish rider jersey today.”
What does the leader's jersey mean for Antvorskov?
Antvorskov's stage win also earned her the race leader's magenta jersey, a position she admitted took her by surprise.
“It's crazy,” she smiled. “I have not been in this position before. I didn't think it was possible because I didn't know how people were climbing. I am a very tall person so sometimes it gets really hard. But it worked out today.”
The time bonuses for the win give her a four-second lead over Garnier heading into Saturday's crucial 88.5-kilometre stage from Carlow to the top of Corrabut Gap. It is the sole summit finish of this year's race and will play a crucial role in shaping the final standings on Sunday afternoon.
While Antvorskov does not describe herself as a climber, saying she is too heavy because of her height, the time gained over the bulk of the field on Friday puts her in an optimistic frame of mind heading into Saturday's uphill finish, plus Sunday's morning time trial and afternoon criterium.
“It suits me really well, actually. Especially the time trial because it is so short. I like that,” she said.
What lies ahead for Rafferty and the Irish challenge?
Rafferty sits fourth overall, ten seconds back, and will hope to recoup some or all of that deficit over the weekend.
“I am really looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully the same sort of thing happens again tomorrow,” she said.
“I think today really showed who the strongest were in the race. And there is no hiding place on those climbs, so I am really glad that I was comfortably in in the front group today. I am looking forward to see what tomorrow brings.”
Frequently asked questions about Rás na mBan 2026
Who is leading Rás na mBan after stage 3?
Silje Antvorskov of Denmark leads the general classification, holding a four-second advantage over France's Noemie Garnier.
How did Aliyah Rafferty perform on stage 3?
Rafferty finished fourth in the stage sprint, was the best Irish rider on the day, and sits fourth overall, ten seconds behind the leader.
What is the key stage in the 2026 Rás na mBan?
Saturday's stage from Carlow to the summit of Corrabut Gap is the only uphill finish in the race and is expected to be decisive for the general classification.