Cycling Reports |
FBD Milk Ras - Day 1 By Cian Lynch
Team this year - Laurence, Johnner Wall, moi, Keith Gallagher and Gary Sheehan. Stephen Gallagher had to withdraw at the last moment due to tendonitis, which was a pity. Good to see that Gary and Colm Bracken got sorted out though. Today's racing was always going to be hard. I have raced down this road with a tailwind at 30mph, not today boys and girls. Dropping back through the cars to drop in my long sleeve jacket, the heavens opened. Unbelievable. Ulster all over again! Not that we weren't conditioned for it. The Kazakhstan team was attired in the short sleeve jersey and shorts - hard men. The short Pit (piss) stop and efficient organisation had us up the road after a wait of two minutes. And the Ras is on. Miracle Man Looby appears in front, and within the blink of an eye, across me. Looby who is categorically responsible for my broken collarbone of two years ago. He did exactly the same thing to Kevin Dawson today - an incredible switch. Enough said. Then the heavens opened again. And again. There were a couple of near spills, and no doubt the brake pads have taken a hammering. So be it. To see Crowley take 2nd on the first hot spot at Newbridge was great - go on the boys in the green. Wearing earpieces, I was hoping to get a bit more info, and told the lads so (Barry and Joe). As it lined out after Newbridge, Joe was in my ear " Cian ?" …. "Cian ?" …… "Everything OK?" - We were in a lineout getting ready for shit hitting the fan - and Joe is wondering am I OK…… Let me tell you about The Cut. Not too hard. Windy, and the boys at the front are killing themselves, lads in behind taking shelter. The stop start manner is what got me (apart from the climb) and to see Johnner and Laurenzo coming back to get me back up (am I allowed have a laugh?) was inspiring. Gar had been dropped, and was doing savage work to get back up to the lads. We didn't. We chased hard - well some of us did - My international rider of the day 155 - Lincolnshire was one of those blocking kind of riders. There were only 15 of us, but obviously he had men up the road…… Not a bad start to the Ras, apart from the rain, wind, Cat bloody 3? Cat 3 Dermot? Keith had a great finish to the day, possibly in the top 15. And I shall be his servant for the week. Gary finished with me and Johnner came in ahead of Laurence. 188kms tomorrow. Same conditions I imagine….. Cian Lynch. Asst. D.S., North Kildare CC |
Stage
1 of the glorious race that we call the FBD milk Ras. If in 1996 someone had
told me that I'd be racing here today, I'd have laughed. Correction -
participating here today. Until such time as the form comes on. I have never
been so relaxed heading into this race. Talking to J.P. Hilliard this morning,
much like myself, he has only done half the required racing. And that has suited
me, even last week I was alright. Joe Mc Kay has just informed me that last week
is history, and tomorrow is what counts.