I was relatively happy with my Ras result but to be honest I would have liked more from it regarding the stage results, some top 10''s would have not gone astray but 3rd county rider and 33rd on GC is nothing to complain about.
After the Ras I swiftly returned to Belgium staying focused on bringing my form on more for the up and coming national champs in Clonmel Co. Tipperary. Once back in Belgium I began racing again finishing without to much issue, but I could still feel fatigue in my legs from the Ras, it left me slightly sluggish and lacking when I was forced to react to moves that were going clear. I rode all these races with the intention that they were preparation for the champs making the most of every km of racing pushing myself to the max at all times. I placed good in the races achieving nothing massive but at the same time been able to last the distance and attempt to get into break aways.
I returned to Ireland a week before the national champs in Clonmel, a routine of steady training and a phase of tapering prepared me for the race ahead. The Race itself did not go entirely to plan, I went there with the tactic of racing very aggressive in the initial phase and try and get into the lead group which was bound to go clear early. The course was a challenging one, a tough climb mid way made the lap tough and it was on the climb first lap that the split happened, I crossed the summit in the front but on the decent gaps opened and I was left in a chase group on the road, we were later joined from behind by the remains of the main bunch and all I could do was watch as the break vanished from sight. Lap after lap I rode hard trying to form another chase group but it was in vain and I decided to hold back and allow the tough course to dwindle the bunch down, I made a number of good moves, and at one point was going for a top 15 but unfortunately dehydration killed me, the heat on the day was freakish and I feel I didn’t take on enough fluids, but in the end all was not lost as I dug deep and managed to get 19th place as I attacked away from the remains of the main bunch with 3km to go.
After the Nationals I took a small break to recharge the batteries for the second part of the season and for my campaign towards my final goal which is to attain a solid result in Suir Valley. Last year I Managed a 3rd on GC so this year Id like to be in around the same if not better.
I returned to Belgium on the 4th of July and since then have done some good training and raced 3 times, my intention is to put away a minimum of 10 races before Suir Valley and some solid training along with it. for the period between now and then I’m going to make more consistent blog posts to keep everyone up to date on my progress towards the race. So keep an eye on my Twitter and Facebook for links.
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