Here are some of the emails we received from visitors to the Live Updates page.
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Hi Shane,
Great work as usual on the Ras Live Reports. It's great to know that the high quality live reports are available every year, and this year was no different!
When it's difficult to get to Ras Stages, the Ras Live Reports are a great resource for people, as reading them is like actually being there watching the live action!!
Thanks again and keep up the great work!
Well done to the overall winner, Bagdonas, the Irish stage winners; McCann and Irvine and of course the Comeragh CC Team who did their club and county proud!
Regards,
Gary Power.
Comeragh CC.
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Shane, well done great to be able to get up to the minute coverage. Sorry about bad reception on the Kerry hills, but I got to meet all the former Ras winners Paudie Fitzgerald, John Mangan and especially former Ras men Sean O'Conner, Mr Lacey and their loyal supporter and listner Mr. Moriarty all from far away Tralee.
All on Molls Gap in a storm of rain and wind.
Thanks again
Louis Moriarty
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Hi Shane,
Congratulations on excellent coverage of the An Post Ras all week. Each new post is eagerly awaited and you really convey the story of the stage as it happens. I am eagerly following the progress of the whole race but with particular focus on the Mayo Western Edge Medical Communications Team, who are doing fantastically in the County Team Classification.
Thanks for keeping us updated Shane.
Regards,
Kevin Dunleavy, Castlebar Cycling Club
following the Ras from Singapore
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Your updates are a much appreciated… not much work or housework getting done here !
C’mon Team Skoda Ireland .
From Pauline ( Brighton, East Sussex )
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Excellent Stuff Shane,
You coverage and detail and expression in such a short few lines has been fantastic....
You should be very proud of yourself...spirit of the RAS is alive and well....
Thanks,
Mike
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Thanks for the live Ras updates and photographs. Well done to all the riders; I'm very proud of my brother!
From a Leitrim Observer
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Hi,
Enjoying the coverage.
Any chance the "The An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly team" could be referred to as "An Post et al." ? It's quite a mouthful otherwise...
Alan
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Hi Shane,
Great, to tune in again for you’re live coverage and keep up to date with what’s happening. It’s hard to believe it’s another year. Keep up the good work…….
Martin Thompson
Gdynia Poland
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Thank you for all the live updates, Ras passes through Mallow on Friday with local cyclist 20 year old Richard Hooton cycling on the Cork Kanturk team. We have family, friends, neighbours and anyone else we can muster coming out to support Richard, his team mates and the Ras cyclists. Children from local schools will also be out in force to cheer them on so please give a big thank you to everyone for their support. Their support means so much to the county riders who are the real "Men of the Ras'!!!
Thank you
Noreen Hooton
Anxious Mother!!
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Thanks for the great live report Shane, it is keeping us out of bed here in Australia..
THANK YOU - Mark Windsor
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Hi thanks for the great running comments on the ras, keep up the good work.
Regards Peter Mac
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Great race report... well done.... Felt like I was there.... especially when one of my lads did so well.... County rider! glued to your updates.
Thanks a million... keep them coming.
Ras Mum
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Thanks for all the updates. Much appreciated.
Pauline English
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Did the Croi charity cycle around lough corrib today so understand that head wind .see u on corkscrew hill tomorrow. Will be 100km winds on top of the Burren
Keep up the good work.
Sean Kilduff, Ardrahan Co. Galway
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The scene is set for a great finish today
Brilliant band playing at the finish line in Portumna - The Bogus Pogues
John Breen
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Love the live updates. Could you add what towns the Ras has come through as they pass? WE are in Riverstown outside Birr and want to watch the Ras go by. We'd like to estimate when they'll be here.
EMAILS RECEIVED FOR LAST YEAR'S EVENT
____________________________________________________________
Fantastic service - so good it leaves you saddle sore!
Congrats.
Alex Gifford
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Excellent work Shane,
I've been following these every day, even when out on the road watching and marshalling.
Scottie, South East Road Club
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The live feeds have been brilliant all week, well done
Regards
Stephen McManmon
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Great following the race online, fantastic, takes the boredom out of working,
Ps, any chance of more pictures of Miss Ras Tara Fogarty? Lol
Ryan Patton
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Hello!
It's very good and VERY nervous to be a "Team Sprocket-mum" in Sweden!
Working at the computer and having your live report at the same
time....guess which prority.... :-)
Thanks!!
Mia Hogberg
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Great reports. The excitment up to the finish was palpable. Thanks Shane.
Adrian Taheny
Director, Marketing & Sales
FBD Insurance
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Thanks for the coverage - great to be able to follow this from Boston!
Mathew Dillis
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Having very fond memories of riding the Ras in the 60s it is wonderful to be able to follow the progress of the race as you present it. Sometimes I feel like I am back on the roads of Ireland again. Bit soppy I suppose but forgive an old bikie his dreams.
Tom Hughes Melbourne Ex National Cycling Club Dublin
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Hi Shane - many thanks for live updates much appreciated , i hope you are keeping well , you might spot me taking photos in Aughrim or on the climb to the shay elliott climb etc
Thanks & Regards Niall
Niall Kavanagh
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Thanks for your updates on the race.
Really appricate you hard work.
Carwyn
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Hi, Just want to say excellent coverage on your website. Realise that it’s difficult at times to know what’s happening on the road without a helicopter !
Hoping to watch the RAS on Friday on corribut gap , Mount Leinster. Is there a way I can tune in and listen to the RAS radio when waiting on Mount Leinster.
Many thanks
Nicky
Ps hope the wexford wheelers team is going well
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Hi Shane, the usual blow by blow accounts of whats goin on, well done, whats happening this morning, nothing on line yet ?
Roy Boyden
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Fantastic live reports lads,
I'm working in front of the computer today and a real good taste of the Ras. Thanks a million!
See you on the road in Carrick-in Suir on Thursday and Gorey on Friday!
Scottie, South East Road Club
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Thanks very much for the live updates. Been following Team sprocket pro cycling.Keep up the good work
Regards Anette (Sweden)
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Great Coverage !
Keep up the Good Work !
See you on route to Tipperary tomorrow
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Thanks for your live reports.
Rob from Australia.
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Hi,
Just to say thanks for the updates.
A great pleasure to read it all, and you do, do it well
Congrats,
Gerald Long
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It's just like being there. Full marks to all concerned. Sorry to hear about stage 2 problems, hope everyone is OK.
Lionel Cowin
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Hi Shane,
Again it's the time of the year to tune into the Ras for you're live coverage. Really keeps me update with what's happening, super coverage Shane. Keep up the good work.
Martin Thompson
Gdynia Poland
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Hi Shane,
Just wanted to say what a fantastic you are doing again this year with the RAS updated. It is great for people like me who can feel like we are at home following the race instead of working here in Saudi Arabia.
And a big shout out to Keith Gater of Comeragh CC who is riding for Wexford in this year’s RAS.
Regards
Eoin Mullally
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Shane,
Great to see you back again this year was a bit worried yesterday when I didn't see your live reports thought maybe you had forsaken us for greener pastures.
This year's Ras profile looks savage particular Thursday, Friday & Saturday Looks like my productivity will take a nose dive this week..
Best of luck to all specially to the County riders
Looking forward to seeing you all in Skerries Sunday 30th May.
Paul Deans
Skerries Stage end Committee / Swords CC
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Hi Shane
Tony here from Adelaide, Down Under. Just wishing you and the team a great week of racing around the beautiful landscape of the Emerald Isle. Hope everyone has a safe week of racing. Here's to your fantastic live links which will again cause sleep deprivation and overuse of the internet for the next 8 days.
Best wishes
Tony Kemp
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EMAILS FROM THE 2009 EVENT
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Hi Shane,
The updates have been fantastic, the action all week has been super.
I was on my way to Castleisland on Thursday and came across the race, very different perspective being a spectator and a rider, I have to say I was very impressed with the way the Marshalls do their Job and how they control the rolling closures. I want to send out a big thanks to everyone associated with the race. As a rider you never realize what effort goes into making it safe and seamless. To the Organizers, Gardai, Marshalls etc etc, who do a fabulous Job a HUGE Thanks for bringing Hundreds if not thousands of riders around the country at breakneck speed through country mountain lanes to motorways.
Bill Moore
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Shane,
Fantastic coverage all week, looked like a great race with some great individual performances. Most outstanding was the stage win yesterday by 18 year old Sam Bennet in his firts Ras. I rememeber an 18 year old Anthony O Gorman wnning a stage in 1982 on his first Ras , with a very tight finish after a few laps of Tullyesker , just ahead of Limerick's Eddie Keehan ( 1979 Junior Tour winner) by a tyre.
Hello to Stephen Delaney and Martin Thompson, its hard to believe that its 25yrs since Stephen won a super Ras in 1984, in the days when we got free jerseys from FBD and we got no rain all week! It was mainly county riders and while we had no former Tour de France stage winners in the bunch i dont think it took from the event where the first attack of the day usually stared in the 'car park' as we started the stage.
Looking forwrad to 2010 alredy, maybe Armstrong might sign up for that and use the Tour as his preparation!
Regards
Claude Costelloe
Limerick
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Well done Shane on all the excellent live feeds. Didn't get much work done this week, but was worth it.
Chris Hayes
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Hi Shane,
Getting no work done here edge of your seat stuff well done.
Yesterday's stage from Cahirciveen to Killorglin epic...!!! savage ride by Swords CC member (and from Skerries) "Stephen Halpin" (only 20 yrs of age Respect...) riding for the Irish under 23 Team who finished in the breakaway bunch yesterday.
We're doing our best back here to ensure that the stage-end finish into Skerries on Sunday gives you all the welcome home you deserve.hopefully the weather will be kind to us all. Keep up the great work
For and on behalf of:-
RÁS Skerries Stage-End Finish Committee
Paul - Swords CC / C.I. / IVCA (I think that covers everybody !! )
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Thanks very much for the live updates. Been following my son, James Moss Kinesis KUK, and his progress in his first 8 day race
Barbara Moss
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Dear Shane,
Eleanor de Eyto again. I’ve been a bit late tuning in today to see how everyone is doing. May I acknowledge and thank Claude Costelloe’s( Limerick) observations about the likes of my son-in-law Chris Troy’s commitment to the race and he the house husband and father that he is. Yes, it is amazing how dedicated he is! But the family are all supporting him too. I am sure a lot of those professionals have very supporting and tolerant partners and families. It is a huge juggling act over here in Mayo but we are all willing supporters. Chris has a very ‘multy functional’ brain and seems to be able to deal with the many mini Chris that come his way. And remember – behind many a great man is a great woman – and Chris would be the first to acknowledge this.....Chris, and the rest of the CASTLEBAR team all finished yesterday and were in great form starting out this morning.
And now back to your live coverage Steve. All very exciting. Hope that awful weather eases up! They are all great men for coping.
Thanks, Shane,
Eleanor
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Thanks Shane,
Tom Daly
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Well done Shane for the excellent coverage of the Ras and keep up the good work. I want to say well done also to Ritchie Malone and all involved in the Kildare project world team on a good Ras.
Damien Mitchell,
Tullamore.
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Hi Shane,
Last one from me. Thanks again for your coverage - it has meant the world to us down under. I am just so thrilled for young Sam Bennett. He's been nudging closer and closer, and to win yesterday was truely wonderful. I have met him on many occasions, and he is such a super young guy who probably doesn't know just how good he realy is - we'll be reading so much more about him over the coming years. Well done Sam. From the Kemp fraternity in Adelaide, where it is raining right now - well done Shane, well done Dermot, and congrats to one and all who get to Skerries today.
Best wishes to one and all in Cork
Tony Kemp
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Great coverage as usual Shane,
It always brings me a bit closer to home. Great to finally see a couple of Irish stage wins. Bennet looks like a real talent. However today I chose to watch Philip Deignan in the Giro instead! He had a great ride, was very strong throughout and softened up the others in the break for his teammate Gerrans by attacking on the second last climb. Gerrans was then the strongest on the last climb (which was a b*tch with some stretches of nearly 20%). The favourites in the bunch went up so fast I thought Deignan had been swallowed up but no, he held on for 5th. Massive ride! Such a pity he crashed in the first week.
Ciao/slán/groetjes,
Andy O'Hara
The Netherlands
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Shane
Great coverage enjoying following the action. Maybe give the Down Team a mention in your updates - only team from the North and all the lads still in the thick of it.
Conor Quinn
Newry Wheelers
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Shane, is it true your riding in the bunch an typing these reports at the same time?? your bike handeling skills are superb, an thanks for all your great work youv done a bril job an all your readers are eternally grateful.
Vincent McLoughlin
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Hi Shane,
Great effort on the live reports, keeps my going through my revision at uni!!!!!
What a tough ras this year, tough route and massive names in the peleton! Some significant names dropping out and I'm impressd by all the county riders.
Great to see so many U23 Irish lads getting well up in the results such as sean downey and sam bennet... this could be very interesting in 3 years time in london!
Keep up the excellent reports,
all the best,
Allister MacSorley
Apollo Cycling Team
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Great reports Shane and thanks again as always.
Greg Swinand
PS; don’t let any Catalan dudes catch you calling the Volta a Calalunya the Vuelta! They can get pretty excited downt there.
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Dear Shane, first of all great stuff you produce, do to work can not be there, but this is a great subsitude to the Ras'.. Sorry to see Martyn Irvine retire the race, as a good friend I wish him speedy recovery of the nasty injury, the Belgian project lads in the race are doing not to bad, Peter Hawkins guestrider for Usher (and Decock-Capino rider) is having a yo-yo week, one day brilliant, a other day a bit less, so today he should show himself again... Nico Eeckhout is headlining, and Sean Downey is coping with the big boys at ease, he is the new Sean Kelly in the making, wish all the Belgian a safe home coming and thanks for your brilliant coverage of this event,
yours in sport,
Dany Blondeel
"Belgian Project..
"The Ulster Cycling Road to the Flanders"
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Hey Shane – fantastic reports all the week - saw it passing through limerick yesterday great to see so many motorbike Guards and marshals – looked very professional J
Nicky Butler
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Hi Shane, keep up the good work.your reports are keeping us clued in, right up to date, its brilliant,
many thank once again.
Pat Nugent
[Dan Morrissey Carrick wheelers cc]
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Hi Shane,
Coverage this week so far has been excellent. Great to hear from Stephen Delaney, Claude Costello and Oliver McKenna for sure it brings back so many fond memories. Very impressed with young Stephen Halpin, one to watch for the future and off course Sam Bennett both these guys are doing super rides for their first Ras.
Keep up the good work Shane it's super to have live coverage
Martin Thompson
Poland
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Hi Shane,
just like to say you are giving great coverage & reports, David Duffield should look out.
Good to see young Phillip Lavery in his 1st Ras doing so well, Send him my very best regards and I wish him well. I think he is one to watch for the future.
anyway keep up the great coverage
regards
Brendan K
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Great reports and coverage. Great support in great sunshine as all the cyclists passed through Tuamgraney on their way to stage stop at Scariff, Co. Clare. Beautiful scene and best of luck to all the participants as they continue their trip tomorrow Friday.
Teresa
Clareville House,
Tuamgraney
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Hi Shane
Excellent reports. Keep up the good work. We would all love to follow it everyday but work doesnt allow for that!
Thanks Again
John Breen
Currow CC (Kerry)
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Fantastic coverage!
I hope this the first "green shoots" of a revival of cycling in Ireland. Great to hear you're seeing the supporters out in force. If only I had the legs myself. See you in Skerries on Sunday!
Best wishes to Dunboyne CC, Aidan, John, Brian, Eugene and Adrian
Sorry to see Philip and Sully retire. Sully was going well.
Ciarán Hallinan (Meath Engraveit.ie/BDBC)
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Great Coverage, made my days work a lot more enjoyable!
But please mention my mate Christian Prior!
Kind regards
Paul Rutt
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Great Job Shane,
Almost like riding it but without the sore legs. Keep it up.
Donal R. O’Brien
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Hi Shane, Great coverage again this year, Well done .
Thanks
Eamonn Marrey
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Shane,
Just to say thanks for the live updates. As a matter of interest the FBD website doesn't give any details for today's stage. Would love to go see it in Scariff but have no idea of the time of arrival. Do you know what time it is expected?
Michael Molamphy
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Shane,
I must say you provide an excellent service to your sport and to the afficiados and a person outside the sport you are to be commende. However, perhaps your comments on the promising Sean Downey will yield results with potential people in the market seeking his skills as an investment
Yours in sport
Roy Corry
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Well done Shane,
Great coverage, nice to meet old friends on the Conor Pass today. It was truly spectacular, what a great race…..
Keep up the good work
Pat Fitzgerald
Dingle
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Loving the FBD Ras live updates - gutted I couldn't ride myself this year. I raced in Ireland in the Ras Mumhan over Easter and loved every minute. Good luck to all the Surrey League riders!
Steve Saunders GB
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Grate job Shane,
Thanks for the great updates, all the lads are bulling for Micheal Fitzgerald todays hes hopping.
From Tim Hayes and the Lads of Ballymore CC
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Go on Dave O'Loughlin! I thought the GC was lost for the Irish challenge after stage 2, but the Rás being the Rás, it's tearing asunder again today. Keep up the great coverage... meas mór to the riders, especially the last-minute Galway team...
Donal Kelly,
Galway
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Hi Shane, Roy and Alister,
Well done with the very good reporting.Great to see a little team to gether. Nice to have a driver, working out the tactics for yee and driving well to. Hope yee not eating to much in the car. Well done and Thanks.
Tosh Lavery
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Hey Shane.. Fantastic job on the reports well done.. Is Alasdair Mc in the car with you?..
You are in great hands there - he drove me all around Tour Of Irl last summer.. Legend ..
Say hi to him from me! Orwell lads are having a good go!!
Glad to read the weather is a bit better.. Cold and overcast here in Dublin.. Training ride this evening.. Not a chance in hell...ha ha
Best Richie @ RTE RADIO 1
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Hi Shane,
Sinead Power here Comeragh CC, as usual great updates on the Ras almost feel like I am there,
Keep up the good work.
Sinead Power(Comeraghcc)
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Fair play to the reports. not getting much work done, but glad im out of the rain.
Great riding by DmC, Conor Murphy and Kineelly yesterday, top marks
shout out to the Down team on their weeks holiday and no one is mentioning a mr Colm Bracken born 1966. How many Ras now? More than David Peelo?
myles mc corry
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Hi Shane
Just to let you know you are responsible for a match stick shortage here in Adelaide. Your reports are excellent, requiring us Down Under to burn the midnight oil – well, 3 a.m. to be precise. Productivity has significantly been reduced! I’m thrilled with Mick Hennessey’s ride into Cobh, and Simon Kelly….what a man. I had the privilege of Simon riding in Cork Team Nucleus in 2005 – he’s a real star.
An Adelaide rider, Kevin Hartnett, is getting tucked in – slightly different weather from sunny Adelaide, but he’s doing OK.
The Ras is still about country riders mixing it with the pro’s and showing them how its done – congrats to Dermot for preserving that essential essence of the Ras. Keep the reports coming Shane – I’m getting the Ras stare already, and its only day three!
Tony Kemp
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Hi Guys:
Thank you once again for the great coverage of the best and (probably) one of the toughest races in Planet Cycling. Loved the pictures of Roy Willoughby (RTE) doing an interview on the official race website - hi, Roy - you're looking good, mate, love to team up with you again - take care all.
Lionel Cowin
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Hi Shane.
Excellent coverage again this year. I will be away for a few days.
It will be great to keep up to date.
Best Regards.
Martin Donnelly.
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Hi Shane, could not leave keyboard alone , your report is A one, all us at meigh newry are reading up on the lads , best of luck to them all the true kings of the road, THE ROCK MONAGHAN up the road today just great, wishing i was there ...... but no legs.
ROD. Just keep doing it lads
Rodney Hanna
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The race is great but the emails are bringing back the memories. The names are a whos who of friends and foes from races past. Hi to all. Martin Thompson! Anto, Bill, Seamus, Claude etc. Oliver you certainly saw some good ones. Best of luck to the (I nearly said Cidona boys), Dan Morrissey Team.
Stephen Delaney
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Shane,
Great reports. Keep it going. Best of luck to the Dude from all at Midleton CC.
Derick Whyte
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Hi Shane,
Glad to see that you have not forgotten the Downey name and mantle he is carrying for Banbridge CC & Co.Down
Yours in sport
Roy Corry
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Shane good stuff
…I think there was less outages when the Ravens were doing Technical Support!!!!
I remember Rob Holden rode in 93 and remarked he couldn’t believe that you had county riders who were dropped one day and then attacking from the gun the next day! There doesn’t seem to be that type of racing anymore I suppose the quality of the foreign visitors has increased dramatically, so it puts into context the good rides we have seen from Bennett and Lavery (Phil not Tosh!) on the first stage. I think Colin Robinson’s mountains jersey was great on the first day. Obviously he read the race manual before the start just like JP on the first stage thru the KOM in Navan (92) when he won the prime and held the KOM jersey for a few days. Of course Gaybo will be roaring about it at every Stamullen race from now on and quite rightly so.
Regards
Anto Moran
Ravens CRC
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Shane,
Good going with the live updates - keeping us updated on the 2 McKinley Lads - just wondering is there any other brothers racing together in this years Ras? - big hello to Drew & Marko McKinley, Barry Monaghan, Colm Quinn & Sean McGreevy and of course Noel McKinley (the da) Team Manager & all background staff!! Up An Dun!!
Paddy & Jennifer McKinley
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Best of luck to Brian Keneally
Great Coverage Shane,
Regards,
Mehall Fitzgerald
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Shane - well done on keeping the cycling fans of ireland on the edge of our seats!! Your live updates are almost as good as being there!! Have to say, i reckon the best county rider so far is Simon Kelly!! He is absolutely flying!
Say hello to the Russell Tracey in neutral service for me!! Hope he is doing as good a job as always!
Siobhan Dervan
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Hi Shane Richie from the RTE RADIO 1.. Enjoying the reports man.. The Orwell Wheelers are digging in..
Special mention must go to Secret Weapon Stephan Surdival who wears odd socks and to Shane Hurley who wears a thong under the shorts on the hard stages..
I'd be careful about sharing a car with that man Willoughby beside you.. He has a reputation to live down to ..
Howya Roy..
Fair play lads.. God its brutal weather..
Wonder how Garzelli , Di Luca et al would fare on the Ras?
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Hi Shane,
First time in nearly 40 years that I am not on the Ras and this is the first time in years that I can actually know what is going on each day, thanks’ to your very informative live updates.
Oliver Mc Kenna
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You are doing fantastic job. When going through Sneem give the School children a big wave as In am teaching them Cycling every Wednesday and it will give them a real interest.
Thanks for all your hard work its a fantastic service to us in remote lands of South Kerry
Louis Moriarty see you in Cahirseveen
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Its great to hear(see) the play by play hammering sessions these boys are going through. It makes me miss the top fitness level and makes me want to go back and give it a lash some day. Keep up the great job.
Cheers
Marcus Moloney
Washington D.C.
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Best of luck to the lads from Galway and Castlebar in the Rás.
Mick Ruane
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Great stage today, good to see the 2 MTB riders up front!
Thanks for the live reports, really catches the action!
Rgds
Joe McCall
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Hi,
I have been reading the updates all day. It's good to see the Rás getting some coverage.
It was also handy, as I knew roughly when the riders were passing through Dungarvan, which gave me time to nip out from work and go to the top of the Sweep.
I don't envy the riders today, strong headwind + heavy showers....
Keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Colin Organ
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Hi Shane,
Keep up the good work on the reports,like being there,its dry here in Cobh now after a wet morning,hope it stays that way.Best of luck to all the Dan Morrissey boys, see ye on the top of the hill in Cobh.
Pat Kenealy
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Hi Shane,
Superb coverage as usual.
Keep it going.
Get up the road Sully!
Conor Lally
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Reading through the race reports makes me want to be part of the action, have to say May is always for every Irish rider the most significant date in the Calendar… More important than Christmas! At the start yesterday you could feel the same excitement I used to feel, that sense of dread, excitement, fear, anticipation and expectation.
To all the riders and officials who make it such a unique event, I hope you have a great week, for all the people who stand on the side of the road CHEER on the ‘Men of the Ras’
Bill Moore
Stamullen RC
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Brilliant coverage, as always. Don't tell my boss!
Good luck to Martin Gill, the Ferrycarrig Flyer. He's a Road Engineer, helps out on the family farm. How does he find time to train and rest for this?
He's a Wexford Wheeler to the core but is guesting with the good people of Tipperary-Clonmel CC.
Go on Martin, our Man of the Rás.
Brendan Ennis
Wexford Wheelers
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Good to hear of guys actually prepared to race regardless of the conditions !!
Pat McQuaid
President
Union Cycliste Internationale
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Hi
Thanks again for the great coverage of the race for this year. I would like to wish Andrew Roche (Candi TV Marshalls Pasta) a big good luck from all his family for this week and hope the collar bone doesn't go too badly. He crashed in the Lincoln last weekend and cracked it but was still determined to race the RAS.
Ashley Roche
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Hi Shane,
Excellent coverage again Shane, great to keep up to-date with what's happening
Martin Thompson
Poland
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Hi Shane,
Great work on the updates. Love all the coverage of the Ras provided by Irishcycling.com.
Tuning in in Adelaide, Australia.
Ian Maxwell
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Hi Shane
Eddy O'Donoghue here, working in Dungarvan area, near the foot of the sweep (can normally see the top from office window).
Torrential rain here at the moment and can't actually see the climb at all, with the weather so bad.
Best of luck to the Clonmel CC Tipperary team.
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Hi,
The live reports are great! Is there any way you could include a rough distance estimate in them as well so we know how close to the climbs and the finish they are?
Cheers,
Jo Jilham
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Hi Shane,
Thanks allot for excellent coverage of the FBD Ras! We are living in South Africa, and my son Jacques Janse van Rensburg (Marco Polo) is participating in the race. We enjoy every moment of the live reports!
Much appreciated!
Sunny South African regards!
Julius van Rensburg
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Shane,
Enjoyed your coverage of the opening stage today. Great win for the Belgian, with a flat race this week could he be an overall contender?
Enjoyed reading the e mails in particular the one from Eleanor de Eyto about her son in law, house husband Chris Troy.
Is'nt there somthing unique about a bike race that that have a 'family man' such as Chris compete side by side with Tour de France stage winner and Race Leader Jaan Kirsipuu! Like to see Jaan try winning a stage of the Ras after making kids lunches, changing a few nappies, up all night with a kids high temperature and the odd dose of collic thrown in for good measure. These Pro's are spoiled, drive on Chris!!!!
Looking forward to the rest of the week,
Regards
Claude Costelloe
Limerick
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Hi Shane,
Thanks for the updates today. I will be glued to the laptop for the week. All the best to all of the Kerry riders for the next week. See ye on the road
From
The Chain Gang C.C., Tralee
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Hi Shane,
Dany Blondeel from the Belgian Project (Ulster-Flanders)
Follow your up dates with great interest, as Flandrian to start with, but also to follow Peter Hawkins (Guestrider Usher) and Decock-Capino Belgium (Guest team of my Project) Belgium already made his mark with Nico Eekhout and with Peter Hawkins, Mark McKinley, Conor McAllister and Adam Armstrong the Belgian Project lads will be followed trough your excellent service in whole West Flanders and Ulster.
Keep up this great reports,
Dany Blondeel
Project organiser and Commissaire Cycling Ireland & Ulster
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Hi Shane, keep up the great work. We have spent the last 3 hours riding the race with you.
Congratulations to An post on the stage win.
Pass on our best wishes to Tommy and the men/boys (Team Ireland ). Hope to be hearing from them later in the week.
The Downey family
Banbridge CC
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Hi Shane,
Just to let you know, Andy Roche past winner of the RAS is riding with a cracked collar bone and separated ligaments following a crash in last weeks Lincoln GP.
Your race coverage is second to none, thanks very much
Good luck to everyone
Hi to Mick Lawless, from Brian Roche
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Hello Shane,
Chris Troy (CASTLEBAR CC)’s Mother-in-Law back again for the second time around glued to your coverage of THE RACE! Yes, he IS back again, having completed it in 2008. And very proud we were of him too then. This year CASTLEBAR has its own team and have been very dedicated to their training....and I should know. How has he managed to fit in all this training ? Chris being the full-time house parent of three small children (Christy only arrived in October last year) and husband that he is? Well, he has the full support of my daughter Elvira and the children – Jessie and Liam both enjoying acting as Cheer Leaders when Mum is free to take them to waive Dada on. AND with a little help from his in-laws with willing babysitting services!
I was a RAS groupie last year and looks like I’ll be one again this week – all going well for our HERO Chris. Good Luck Chris and all the rest of the CASTLEBAR CC.
Thanks for your service, Shane,
Sincerely,
Eleanor de Eyto
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Hi Shane,
Great feedback as usual, far better than studying for my Board-Exams, will be on here all week. Good luck to all the Dan Morrissey Boys especially the ace mechanic the young Rory Wyley and Tim "The Hands" Barry. Keep 'er lit sham.
Brian Truman
Oakville, Canada.
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Great reports Shane.
Looking forward to keeping up with Ras during the week. From some very very very wet Slaney CC Ras marshalls here in Enniscorthy.
Liam Ruth
Slaney CC
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Hi Shane.
Great coverage again, brings back the memories of all that blood, sweat and tears.
Best of luck to all the county riders, hope some of you get one up on the pros.
Chapeau aux hommes du Rás.
Paddy Sweeney
Velo Peloton Vacances cyclisme
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Hi Shane
Any word on Drew McKinley (Co Down Team) - give them and especially Drew a mention if you get a chance.
Have a good one.
Con Quinn
Newry Wheelers
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Hi Shane,
Hope all is well - Tony (Kemp) here from Down Under. Moved here in Nov 08 to get some sunshine after years of rain in the Ras! Now I am more than ever appreciative of your live feeds - its great to be part of the race from 10,000 miles away.
If you see John Galvin later, give him my regards! Have a great week to one and all - keep the rubber side down! Sending also a best wishes to Mick Hennesey, Conkers and Kevin Harnett
from here in Adelaide! Best wishes Shane.
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Well done on the live reports. Great to have them! Keep them coming.
Aidan Considine
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Here Live Reports were last updated:May 29th, 2011 - 20:27:40
