This was the third year I have ridden
the
Tour of Ulster – each year I go into it with no expectations,
no goals other then get great pre Ras training in a super well
organized and safe race. Usually there are three long tough stages
with a short time trial on the second day – this year was similar
although the second stage was shorter than usual.
With family in the area, it is also an
opportunity to spend time with them – racing all over the world,
almost every weekend of the year for the last few years, the amount of family get-togethers
I have had to miss is huge – this is always a chance to rectify
that a little.
Stage 1 – 142km rolling roads
The race started pretty fast (actually, I attacked at the drop of the flag – sometimes that
works) but was still together after the first 20 kilometers. We had
been riding fast for a while though and coming up to a town where the
race split last year, I knew it was a good time to make things
happen. Coming up through the town's main street drag, I rode full
out, 40 seconds at about 700W splitting 25 riders off the front of the
peloton – as my legs started to clog up, some Node 4 guys (UK UCI
team) came through and kept it going. We all rode well together to
establish the break and that was it for the day.
The rolling roads and pace made our
break's numbers drop from around 25 to eleven with eight kilometers to go. Three teams with three riders and then myself, Greg Swinard and Anthony Walsh.
It was going to be tough for us individuals – attack, attack,
attack – all of us tried – eventually a rider from each of the
teams got clear and the others looked at the 3 individuals to chase.
We did, but only got within seven seconds of the leaders, who fought it out for
the stage victory. I finished 7th @ 10 seconds.
Stage 2 – 110km flat
With Eurocycle's Adam Armstrong in
yellow, his team rode to control the race. There were obviously
attacks but the team rode well and with 15km to go it was still
together. Then a dangerous move with three (of the ten) guys high on GC in it got away.
Adam rode his legs off chasing and in the last ten kilometers, I was
up there too. The gap was kept to a minute – not great, but not an
end to the GC.
Stage 3 – 3.3km Time Trial
Unfortunately my new Time Trial bike
hadn't arrived in time so it was the road bike with clip-ons for this
one (It is a
Venge though – so pretty fast anyway). Basically,
straight down a main road into a headwind, a fast corner onto a
parallel sheltered road back up to the start. It was a cool little
course for such a short TT. My warmup was good and my race reasonably well
paced – I finished 6
th @ 6 seconds. First guy on a road
bike – I'm thinking the
Shiv (my new TT bike) would have been worth
6-10 seconds – next time.
Stage 4 – 124km rolling circuit
4 celcius, pouring rain, grim – but
from when I woke up in the morning I felt great. I mentioned in the
Ras Mumhan
report that I like racing in terrible conditions – as long as I
have the right clothing (I'm not so happy about training in it though).
With the yellow jersey, Matt Higgins of
the UK team
Node 4 Giordana, having only 3 riders left on his team
(Philip Lavery had to pull out midway through the first stage due to
sickness) – it was always going to be a struggle for their team. Other GC hopefuls started the attacks from the gun but Node 4 looked
to have things under control. 20 kilometers in, on a twisty stretch
of road a big group rolled off the front – crap – I was midway in
the peloton. Do or die, I had to be there – I made a big effort and
bridged solo across. Soon afterwards, Conor Murphy and Greg Swindard
attacked out of the break - 2
nd and 3
rd on GC. I attacked and
dangled solo off the back of them. Soon I was joined by Conor Mc Allister and
Javan Nulty. We were sitting around 20-40 seconds off the lead duo
but continued riding tempo. Eventually, four others joined up with us
including Adam Armstrong, the yellow jersey and John O'Shea. Matt Higgins had no
teammates with him – didn't look good for him. The group of 8 rode
tempo with Matt doing most of the work – I had teammate John O'Shea
for company, which was great. With 30 kilometers to go, Conor and
Greg, who were off from the guts of 80 kilometers, were brought back – within a few seconds of that, I attacked
and instantly got a gap – quickly I was joined by Adam Armstrong.
He was sitting 15 seconds further up in GC than me and riding strong
all weekend. We rode hard and within seven kilometers had a minute
gap on the yellow jersey group. When I was in Adams draft, I say he was either in the 11 or 12 cog - trucking! We continued to ride and the gap
quickly grew. Adam rode all of the climbs full gas
(only very short climbs 30-45 seconds on the course) to show me that he wasn't going to be dropped.
 |
| Winning the stage - 2nd overall |
As we raced into the center of
Dungannon, I claimed the sprint and second overall with Adam winning
GC. We pulled out 5:30 on the yellow jersey group – crazy. Teammate, John O'Shea claimed 4th and 1st A2 rider overall.
5 wins, 2
nd, 6
th
and a 7
th in 9 days – form is coming along well.
I would just like to thank the race committee, moto riders, marshals, commissaires, spectators, sponsors etc... Thanks for putting together and being part of such a great event. To the racers for making the race. As always, to my and my team's road related sponsors –
Cycleways and
Zipvit (and
Lightweight too) – best equipment, best nutrition – thanks. Finally, a huge thanks to Stewart Carr for working with the Iverk Produce team over the weekend – you were a godsend – everything ran smoothly when you were involved – thanks!
Aine Finnegan
