The diary of a cyclist... (Thanks to James Mc Enaney)
Stage 1 rolled out from Tallaght stadium and headed 140km southwest finishing at the horse and jockey in Tipperary. A fast start with the bunch average of 50.2kph after the first 10km of racing. Two categorised climbs, the first being a cat 3 at 75km and the second a cat 2 at 93km didn’t do much damage to the race as we headed towards the finish. The main breakaway of the day had a 30 second advantage as they started the cat 2 climb which was extended to 40 as they went over it and continued to grow to 50 seconds before the chase was on from the main bunch. With 25km to go the gap was reduced to 35 seconds and at 10km to go, it was 23 seconds. They were eventually caught at 5km to go leaving a bunch sprint of over 100 riders for the stage win. Matthew Taggert a pro rider from from Banbridge riding for the Ulster team won the stage.
Moynalty Cycling Club man Luke Smith finish 15th in the sprint. A very strong ride all day from the 24 year old Kingscourt man really showing his form today among the best riders. Shane Smith (cousin of Luke) finished 41st in the sprint for the line but on equal time as the winner. I hadn’t a great start getting caught up with several other riders at a traffic island as we left Tallaght, had us chasing for the rest of the day.
Day 2 (Thursday 16th) sees us depart Horse and Jockey and travel 155km to Castleisland Co Kerry. With fast flat roads for the first 98km before the first categorised cat 3 climb and the cat 2 climb of Crags Cave right at the end of the stage, 147km of racing completed at that point. Crags cave with a maximum gradient of 19% will surely see the bunch split up and time gaps on the General Classification
Carrickmacross cyclist James Mc Enaney is competing in this year's Ras Tailteann with the Moynalty Cycling club
