Race Diary of Cian Lynch,
Swords McNally Joinery

Race: Tour of Munster, Stage 2,  22nd April 2000

With a tough day ahead, stronger winds than yesterday, and news that there was rain down the road, well the Tour of Munster just wouldn’t be the same, would it?

The fact that Martin O’ Loughlin was in yellow was to have little bearing on the stage, as Carrick were in the comfortable position of having Eddie O’ D. up on G.C., as well as the fact that Kenneally had not performed the previous day, due to circumstances known to a few….Bill Moore had missed the break the previous day and would have something to prove also …

From the gun, the break was forming – Kieran McMahon, Kenneally, Eddie, Brian Quinn (the Easter wonder), Bill, Shane Baker, Paddy Moriarty, Ritchie Cahill and Tommy Hughes were soon off the front. As the KOH was only at 9 miles, the bunch crawled up the climb, giving the break up to two minutes. Aidan rode up the road, and was joined by Paul Griffin, Dermot Healy, Mick Mulcahy. Au Revoir boys. With the bunch behind, Sean Bracken and Michael McNena were the riders having to do something about the break. The usual attacks were coming as we crested the climb and began the descent. Phil Finnegan took a lovely line into a hairpin and nearly straight through it… onto the flat and John Wall takes off with Paul Doyle, John Horgan and a Killarney rider. That could be a handy group, so I jump, assume the Taffi (Hands on STI cables) and go across to the group. With the five of us being joined by Willie Byrne, Macker, Keith Bannon, J.P. and a couple of others, the Irish Road Club decided to bring us back, as well as continue to ride through. Willie Byrne insisted on mouthing off at the fact that I wasn’t riding through, blabbing on about reading a book on cycling. He apologised later on during the race. Lets leave it at that.

Colm Bracken impressed, and with Sean, Dave Peelo and Peter Dunne (doing a little, little bit) we approached Thurles over those rough roads, we could see the group of five, containing Aidan and co. Now despite what the Road Club lads might think, it was in our interests to be towards the front. A break might have taken off with the lads in sight, and it was important that we be represented. Colm Bracken and Dave continued to ride at the front, and as we caught the chasing group, it was sort of a free for all in terms of who was going to rode at the front. Eugene Moriarty and McNena did turns with Pep for a while, but it was a token effort, the leaders were at 3 minutes. The usual lineouts in towards the finish made me suffer I needn’t tell you, and with a good enough ride done (this is all training for the Ras) I was tailed off with about 3km to go. Up ahead, Brian Quinn took the stage and Eddie and Paddy Moriarty can argue over the Yellow tomorrow.

Aidan was disappointed not to stay away, but with the time difference jumping up and down from 1 to 3 minutes, his group lacked the firepower to bring them up to the leaders. Good ride nonetheless. Myself, Martin and Pep rode to the front all day, tiring enough with those bloody lineouts and rolling roads. It will be interesting to see what tomorrow will bring as the GC has changed dramatically. The Irish Road Club has been riding very well, and Baker can rely on the Brackens and Dave Peelo to do the business if required.

We will make an effort to continue riding strongly, and see what we can take out of the next couple of days. Relaxing this afternoon, and watching the Amstel on Eurosport….. Now that’s savage stuff ……

IrishCycling.Com: Would like to thank Cian for his excellent report