Suir Valley 2012

(Stage 3 Hill Climb)

I was meant to post a small blog prior to Suirvalley but I was hectic in the run up and after I had very little time to piece together a post, but here it is finally.

In the days preceding suirvalley I managed to get in a few steady spins that would leave my legs primed and ready for the event. We traveled to Clonmel the night before, driven by mum and accompanied by my sister and girlfriend both of whom would be handing us bottles during the stages to ensure we kept hydrated, also on board was my brother Ciaran who would be representing Castlebar CC during the event.

Stage one was a 130km haul taking in the Vee climb and finishing on a tough run in to the outskirts of Clonmel. From the start the pace was on, a constant stream of attacks ensured that bunch moved forward at a rapid rate making it difficult for anyone to escape in the early part of the stage, but it was not until just after the 50km mark that we descended into Fermoy and exited on a narrow winding road, it was here that I pressed on hard from the main bunch driving onwards, chaos ensued behind and I managed to break clear bringing nearly 20 riders away with me. Immediately we began working and built a good gap on the peloton, one that enabled us to scale the Cat 1 Vee climb at a steady tempo without been caught. Once over the top the group had dwindled dramatically in size which lead to a flurry of attacks, it was at this point I could feel the heat taking affect as my legs began to cramp beneath me but I pressed on doing my best to keep the group moving, we were joined by Ryan Sherlock on the run in who managed to bridge across from the main bunch as we struggled to get organized in the closing stages, from that point we maintained a clear gap and on the tough final 3 km I struggled taking 5^th on the stage.

(Taking 2nd in KOH Class)

Stage two saw the race cover a 100km loop with a number of categorized climbs and finish on a technical run in through the streets of Clonmel. From the gun I rode aggressively in an attempt to make up the lost time from the previous day, but unfortunately I was pursued constantly with no one willing to work and establish a break away. On the bright side I managed to gather enough points to ensure that I moved into second overall on the KOH Classement. At about the half way point a large group escaped and gathered a lead of 1min but it was short lived on the tough run in as the main bunch pursued them and brought it all back together in the final 10km. The stage finished in a bunch sprint in which I came 19^th.

Stage three is a tough 1.5km hill climb time trial. It takes place in the evening after stage 2 on a short but steep accent outside Clonmel town. Having raced the stage last year I was aware of the impact that it can have on the overall. I was 7^th last off and after performing a solid warm up I made my way to the starting ramp. The count down began and I pressed on hard tackling the climb with brutal force, so much in fact that I caught my 30sec man half way and for a few seconds was caught behind him on the steep accent as I struggled to pass him and his weaving bike. This slowing down unfortunately cost me 2nd place on the stage which I lost out on by a mere 10th of a second pushing me into third.

(Uphill Finish on stage 4)

I was 5^th on Gc & 2^nd in KOH classement coming Into the final stage, 2 placings that I wanted to improve on. I was intent on leaving it all on the road so from the drop of the flag I was gone. I attacked hard pressing onwards dragging about 8 riders with me. We collectively worked hard putting a gap of 3 mins into the main field. At about the 60km mark a large chase group bridged over to us, it was utter chaos once the groups joined together so again I drove onwards this time on the glen of Aherlow thinning the group down to 9 riders. Upon reaching the summit of the Glen, I was forced to work hard keeping the group going until we closed in on the final few km, were I intended on taking the 2sec lead that virtual yellow Barry Twoig had over me on the road away from him. Within the final 20km I launched a number of hard attacks in an attempt to break Twoig but I was unable to shake him and the other riders in the group all of whom were aiding him in bringing me back. It wasn’t until we reached the final 500m which was uphill that I made my final attempt for glory digging hard for the line attempting to shake Twoig, but it wasn’t to be as I blew near the top taking third with Barry Twoig glued to my back wheel. 

(Final Podium)

All in all it was a successful ride, I moved into 2^nd on GC, maintained my 2^nd in the KOH classement and for the 2^nd time in the stage race I secured the most aggressive rider award. I was so close to taking the Yellow jersey, just a mere 2 seconds. It was a sickener that it did not work out but at the end of the day I still did quite well.

Off the back of my Suir Valley success and my aggressive riding style I was contacted by Planet X Ireland whom are interested in helping me in my cycling by supporting me with the use of there equipment for the remainder of the season. I was provided by them a set of Planet Carbon Pro 50 Tubular wheels with which I will be racing until September. I am aiming to give some honest feedback on the wheels especially as they make there way over the paved roads, cobbled lanes and around the countless bends of flanders.

keep in touch!!