Richardson takes Rás na mBan stage 3 but Van Zeelst retains lead

Kate Richardson showed fierce determination to finally land a Rás na mBan stage win on today's summit finish to The Cut in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Co Laois.

The Alba Development Race Team rider crossed the line ahead of Team LDN - Brother UK's Alex Morrice and Cams-Basso's Becky Storrie, with stage two victor and overall race leader Lieke van Zeelst just outside the podium in fourth.

Magenta jersey wearer Van Zeelst's effort was enough to consolidate her five second lead over Richardson in the overall classification ahead of tomorrow's stage four.

The day started with a send off from Cathaoirleach Thomasina Connell outside Laois County Council offices, as riders set out a meandering route from Portlaoise towards the summit finish in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

Team Ireland's Kelly Murphy and IBCT-RDL Team's Svenja Betz were among the early protagonists, with both making attempts to establish a gap on the peloton in advance of the first category ascent of the Wolftrap.

An alert peloton led by Cams-Basso and Pro-Noctus - Rotor - Redchilli Bikes were quick to respond however, with Murphy and Betz's endeavours joining the several mid-stage attacks to be reeled in.

The weather closed in on the approach to the Wolftrap, with a heavy downpour only giving way to dense cloud once the road started rising through the forested 8.6 kilometre long climb.

IBCT-RDL Team were again active, setting the pace on the front of the main bunch which was steadily whittled down to fewer than 20 riders by the summit. The lead group included overall leader Van Zeelst, Queen of the Mountains leader Danni Shrosbree and Points classification leader Richardson, amongst a selection of other favourites for the stage.

Cams-Basso's Shrosbree set out to defend