Here are some of the emails we received from visitors to the Live Updates page.
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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.
EMAILS RECEIVED FOR LAST YEAR'S EVENT
____________________________________________________________
Shane,
I thoroughly enjoyed your coverage all week, in particular the stage in Wicklow on Saturday, I was glued to the laptop in my back garden while soaking up the pleasant sunshine. I felt every mile and turn of the pedals as the stage developed.
Looking at the racing and the stage results it looked like a ‘real’ Ras stage, with almost 5 hours of racing, constant volleys of attacks, riders finishing in groups of 3 or 4 and the Jersey plunging down the GC by loosing 7 minutes! It makes me wonder what kind of race it would have been with a stage like this in mid week to break up the race.
A super week for the M. Donnelly / An Post / Grant Thornton Team collecting the overall win and the Team prize, credited in no small way to the academy in Belgium started many years ago and the support of the sponsors.
Well done on all your efforts all week, it’s the next best thing to being on the back of a motor bike!
Claude Costelloe
Limerick
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Hi Shane,
Great to be able to keep in touch with the Ras progress, thanks a million for the effort. Unfortunately I cannot get to the finish today.
Absolutely thrilled for Stephen. Congratulations to him and all the team.
Brian MacMahon
Limerick
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Hi Shane
Thanks for the live reports - makes for a much more interesting read than just a report at the end.
Well done to all the lads at AN Post for yesterday and thank you to you Stephen Gallagher for mentioning the help he had from Dan Lloyd in the race.
Hope all goes well today.
Carole Inglis
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Hello Shane,
Many thanks for the wonderful live coverage given all week. You keep all of us 'at home' up to speed with up-to-the-minute happenings. This is widely viewed and appreciated.
Kay Howard
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Hi Shane,
Congrats to Steve and the An Post team on todays performance, real nail biting stuff hooked to the net as per usual when the ras is on, several times though the week I just wanted to be on the front putting the bunch in the gutter!!!(unfortuatley I want to write cheques my legs cant cash!)
Well done to Dennis Dunworth been riding superbly all week, finally good luck to everyone tomorrow…great finish circuit for the ras.
Tommy Evans
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Hi Shane,
I have been stuck to my laptop all week the live updates and coverage of the ras is great.
Many thanks, Terry Brennan
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Stephen, well done! To a former winner of the Fermanagh 3 Day Stage Race.
From Lakeland CC Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.
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Hi Shane, Well done great coverage again this year .
Thanks Eamonn Marrey
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Hi Shane
Great coverage as ever. Keep it up
Keith Bannan
MyHome.ie/BDBC
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Hi Shane
Great coverage of the entire race over the last view days. Good to see you mention Stephen Gallagher, he has been doing extremely well and hope he continues as he deserves a local win… Good Luck to Stephen and all the An Post Team
Philip McCullough
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Shane,
This coverage is excellent and I’m fixed to the screen waiting for updates. It felt like an eternity yesterday waiting for updates whilst you were in the wilds if south Kerry and west Cork.
In relation to last year’s Tour Of Ireland there was no internet updates. I questioned this and was told due to the TV coverage they deemed it wasn’t necessary. I’m sure I’m speaking for all those poor unfortunates who have to work and unsurprisingly don’t have a TV at work, would it be possible to have updates via the net just like the Ras.
In fact, it is nearly better than the TV as you are waiting with baited breath to find out what is happening. This year I am getting my speak in early and here’s hoping that the powers that be see sense and facilitate us.
Love the coverage and keep up the good work
Bernie Carr
WCW
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Shane,
More misfortune for the Irish riders yesterday with O’Loughlin puncturing at a crucial time! Looking at the results of the stage, the group sprinting for 4th place contained 79 riders, effectively the ‘bunch’, you would image with 4 climbs and some very heavy roads that the race would have broken up a lot more. It’s probably a feature of Pro’s in the race where it can be controlled even in hard racing terrain.
I saw the ‘flash back’ to the Ras from the programme of 1978 which I think is a shot of the last stage of the 1977 Ras starting in Newbridge. Apart from Noel Clarke I think the rider in the distinctive NCA jersey at the front is Denis Devin.
Looking forward to today’s coverage
Claude Costelloe
Limerick
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...on the edge of my seat for the last hour. Great job.
Adrian Taheny
FBD Insurance
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Thanks Shane for live updates.
Great for those of us who cant follow the race. Im rooting for my son david and pezula team. Shame he punctured today. Will be following with you again tomorrow. Keep up the good work.
Regards from Aileen O'Loughlin, Cong.
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Don't miss the line outs or any of the climbs with the sub 9 stone group
Thanks for the coverage shane
Myles Mc Corry
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…brilliant!
I did the race or should I say the race did me last year – superb to read your live and witty reports.
Big thanks.
Ben Pochee
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Absolutely brilliant Shane - this is as good as being on the race! The level of detail and speed you're posting it is unbelievable - keep up the good work.
My brother is riding for Usher (IRC) Insulations - and I'm stuck in Dublin working all week so being able to follow the race like this is amazing. Come on the boys in blue!!
Alison Murphy
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GO ON URBO................
FROM ALL THE GIRLS IN CABINTEELY..............
CAN YOU HEAR US DOWN THERE.............
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Shane,
Got to see the stage finish in Lisdoonvarna yesterday, great day for Mark Cassidy and his family. I saw his very proud mother clap him while on the podium receiving the yellow jersey that his father wore with such distinction over the years. It’s a tragedy he was injured today and had to pack. I saw the race come through Patrickswell today and wondered what was up when 3 or four minutes passed before the bunch arrived on a major ‘piano’, I saw Mark Cassidy at the front with Paudi O Brien, but when I got back to my computer I saw your report about his injury. He is young enough to recover fully but when any riders crash out of the Ras it’s a disaster but for the yellow jersey it’s especially tragic.
Newton seems poised to do the treble and apparently is only back from injury himself.
Keep up the great coverage,
Claude Costelloe
Limerick
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Hi Shane,
Bad luck for Mark Cassidy to-day. As long as he is o.k. that is the main thing.
He is a young rider with a great future ahead. His day will come.
Great coverage.
Martin Donnelly
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Hi Shane,
Great coverage – I am hearing from guys in cavalcade that Mark has had to pack – not on the site, any updates/truth in the rumour?
If he did a great shame for him and his team. Best of luck to all the Kilcullen lads!
Kieran Keane
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Has Elvin left the building, sitting anxiously doing absolutely nothing in work awaiting next update.
Have to say Shane, really missing the Ras this year, especially coming to Clonmel on Friday. Sounds full of action this year, good to hear 'baby cass' is back up.
I will have to set my goals to be back on the grid next year.
Few pints in clonmel so Friday night???
Eddy O'Donoghue
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Just brilliant coverage of the race Shane!
Best of luck to my two sons Graham & Shane Hurley cycling for the Dundrum Town Centre.
Wishing them and their team mates the best of luck.
Kieran Hurley
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Keeping all the lads in the office up to date with what is happening on the road.
Best of luck to all the Swords riders!
Bernie Mc Nally
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Shane,
Great work again this year. I bet the Ras beats the Giro hands down for excitement, well for me anyway.
Lets hope we can keep the yellow in Irish hands.................
Dave Casey, (ex Dublin Wheeler, now glued to live reports in Essex, UK)
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Hi Shane,
This is all new to me. And I am enjoying it immensely. All this modern technology to a third age citizen like me is mind boggling. Even got to video the race with my new digital camera as it turned the sharp corner in Castlebar. I am the biggest supporter now of my son-in-law Chris Troy from Newport, No. 137 racing for Kanturk but a Castlebar entrant. Chris, so far, is delighted with his performance. And so he should be. At 38 he is considered to be one of the golden oldies. 38 and old!! What hope for me at 63!!
But he is our hero. He has kept up his training schedule all year as well as dedicating himself to his full time occupation as house husband, minding our two grandchildren Jessie (4 on Friday) and Liam Miguel (2) and having dinner on the table for his darling wife, our daughter Elvira who works 9 - 5. By the way he is a great cook as well.
Elvira and the two children are out on the road cheering him on but I must,of necessity, rely on your live up-dates and regular phone calls to Elvira and send lots of support text messages to Chris.
Well done so far Chris. Three stages under your belt... An ambition already fulfilled whatever the future holds.
Thanks Shane for keeping us in touch.
Eleanor de Eyto,
Newport, Co. Mayo
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Hi Shane.
Back at the desk in Dublin. Depending on you to keep us updated as in the past. Great work. Keep it up.
Adrian Taheny
FBD Insurance
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Great coverage. Really enjoy following the whole race. I am going to go and watch a few stages starting tomorrow.
Stephen Butler
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Thanks again Shane,
More great coverage Great stuff young Casso keep it up
Steven Sulsh.
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Terrific coverage once again, thanks to all concerned . . . it's just like being on the race! To anyone who remembers me, a big HELLO.
May I also pass on my heartfelt sympathy to the relatives of Pete Bidwell, a great guy who befriended the Isle of Man riders and myself back in the mid-80s.
A special mention too for Roy Willoughby if he's still covering the Ras for RTE Radio -
How about ya!
Lionel Cowin,
IoM Team manager and Roy's ex-driver.
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I love the live updates, the next best thing to being there. A big hello and good luck to my brother, Andrew Roche.
Debbie Sinnott
Alberta, Canada
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Really enjoying the reports, beats revising anyway!
Peter Wilson
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Thank you so much for the live reports it really keeps us up to date - very professional as good as the grand tours.
Kristian House's Nana
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Hi Shane.
It is great to have the live updates again this year.
I will be glued to it over the week. Hoping for some big Irish performances this year.
Hope to see you at the weekend.
Martin Donnelly.
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Hi Shane,
You're doing a great job - I presume you're in a race car? It won't be easy trying to gather info, type and do all your techie stuff while bouncing along - very impressive. I presume you have a permanent copy-n-paste for:
"(Ireland An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly)"?!! Otherwise you'll get writer's cramp!
Look forward to the week's report,
Peter Scott (Cestria CC, northern England and ex-St. Tiernan's CC, Dublin)
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Czesc Shane,
Jak se masz?
It's the time of the year again and time to tune into the Ras, Again I'm tuning in from Poland, You're comments are super as always. It's like being there and always brings back so many fond memories. Keep up the good work Shane
Best of luck to Meath teams.....
It was very sad to hear about my good friend Peter Bidwell may he RIP, my condolences to his family and friends.
Martin Thompson
Poland
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As I can't be there to support my husband it is great to have regular updates to see whats happening in each stage.
Ashley Roche
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Best of luck to Paul Griffin and all the Kerry riders for the Ras.
No bike today for me thanks to mighty stag last night. thanks to the best man Aidan Hobbert (as featured on eurosports live coverage of the giro during the week) for pulling it together. Keep up the great reports irishcycling.com well done
EMAILS RECEIVED FOR THE 2007 EVENT
____________________________________________________________
Fantastic short sharp comments - you could feel the adrenalin. Pity it had to end. Back to the Giro I suppose.
Trevor Blayney
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Just want to thank you for all your great reports of the tour. On the last stage I was on the last hill watching and then running back to the puter for your update. Can't believe it was that close at the finish. Rivetting stuff and thanks again.
Colm ó Maonaigh
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Brilliant job Shane.
You made the last stage very exciting. Better than at the side of the road. Your contribution to the RAS is immense!!!
Wilbur Aiken
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great coverage, very well done..!
L McGreevy
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Congratulations Shane on the brilliant coverage! This year has been a really exciting ras. The young cross riders have done well! Do you know of any TV coverage being shown?
Cheers, Allister MacSorley (Apollo CT)
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Shane,
I also am enjoying your great coverage of the 2007 Ras, thanks so much.
Mick Walsh,
Seattle, USA
ps Claude, that was Greg Oravetz who won the Gap of Mamore stage in '87.
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Shane,
Enjoying the Ras reports. Quick update on the Track. Kieran Leahy just broke the Irish Flying 500m record in Moscow. He set a time of 28.47sec breaking Peter Dunnes record of 29.55m. Might be worth a mention on the site.
Regards,
Liam Collins
Cycling Pursuits, Limerick
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I'm getting no work done this week Shane - between your superb daily Rás coverage until 2pm, followed by the Giro on eurosport.com. Keep up the excellent work, and huge respect and well done to all the DTC Orwell team... Tell Stephen Surdival he'll think nothing of the Galibier after this !
Stephen McNally
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Fantastic again Shane this report keeps making my work load bigger as I struggle to do anything while the race report is on. Great one about the divers in Muff!!
John Donnelly
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Hi Shane
The race reports are brilliant - looks like another great Ras !
.......COME ON PAUDI !!!!!
Simon Whelan
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Hi Shane,
Yesterday we have dropped Paul Hilion at the airport. Now the Irish house in Belgium is empty. Thanks to you I can follow the ras every minute and I really like your work.
Off course I am a big fan of the Kelly Team but other Irish riders that I know from their presence in Belgium are also in my hearth. I hope that "Poupou O'Brien" (always 2nd) completes the efforts off the team.
Come on Paidi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Greets
Jean De Block (Merchtem, Belgium)
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Hi Shane.
Great coverage again this year.Never mind the confusion at the end to-day, we all do not mind waiting until to-morrow for Paidi to take over in the yellow.
Martin Donnelly
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Shane,
I am enjoying your coverage of todays stage, the riders are about to start the Gap of Mamore, I remember going over it in the ’87 Ras when the stage was won by a 13 stone American, riding with Carrick Cidona who went up it in on a 42x19 ! If I remember it correctly, after the top there is a false flat for about a mile which is a real killer.
This looks like a real Ras stage, tired legs , rain and a scatter of riders within a couple of seconds on GC, the remainder distributed around the stage like a plane crash!
Claude Costelloe
Limerick
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Great work lads.
Its a real treat to read the excellent race reports as the race unfolds. We at home or at work probable know more as regards whets happening than some of the cavalcade.
Just a little note on The Gap of Mamore.
Back in the 1970,s when we first tackled that monster I was on the Irish team with Sean Kelly. Sean punctured halfway through the stage and got a straight through block with a top sprocket of 18. He was first over Mamore on 42/18 and went on to win the stage. What sprockets are the men of the Ras using today ?
keep up the good work.
Oliver McQuaid
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Hi,
Great coverage of the race. It's great to get the action live and news from my son when he's racing a couple thousand km away.
Louis P. Rollin
Québec, Canada
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Hi Shane!
Great Work, great race. I can almost feel the pain in my legs again from '03.
Keep the good work up and best of luck to all the lads.
Tony Brady
Thousand Oaks, California.
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Great reporting Shane keep it up ,tis like waiting for Godet in a Beckett play !! Hope your driver has eased off the vino, met him in the bar the other night quite late as was around for a few days filling in till the real tipp masseur arrived on the race, almost time to start pin the tail on the donkey as we are half way, any ideas???? how about a leprachaun?
Tim Barry
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Shane,
Great coverage as usual, keep it going.
I'll say a prayer for the lads ahead of Mamore tomorrow. OUCH!
Cheers
Conor Lally
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Hi Shane,
Excellent coverage from the ras, it looks like a monster of a race. Could you say hello to Craig Sweetman and Frank O Connor of Meath, both these guys did the 9 day Tour of Turkey that finished on May 13. I think that they are savages for doing the ras as well.
Robert Moore
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From a very keen cyclist Please keep them coming the continual updates, as my nephew Stephen Gallagher is in the race.
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Shane,
I am getting no work done here!
David Hicks
Atlanta, GA
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Great stuff Shane, enjoying the reporting in Moscow. Shaping up like a great race, long way to go though.
Aidan Harrison
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Well done on the reports Shane,
It's as good as being on the race. Pity the rain has started for the riders, nice and sunny here in Cork. Hope to be back in the bunch next year after i get my artifical hip in!!
Regards,
Pat Kenealy,
Dan Morrisseys.
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Shane
The live feed is brill…I’m getting very little real work done this week!! Keep it coming.
Eoin Whelan, Laois CTC
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Hi Shane,
Just so you know your updates are being followed in UCI HQ in Switzerland
By all accounts it looks like a classic Ras, Lots of activity and changes daily
Keep it up
Pat McQuaid
President
Union Cycliste Internationale
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Great reports Shane, just like being there- Go Kenneally!
Eddie Lynch
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Well done Shane it makes it easy to follow. We wish the director of our Hotel Paddy Moriarty a very good and safe Ras. Keep up the good work see you on the road.
Louis Moriarty
Sneem Hotel
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Well done on the fantastic coverage of each of the stages, congrats to Brian on yesterday’s victory, hope to see more of it as the week progresses!
David Dolan
MyHome.ie
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Hi man..
Richie from Orwell dtc wheelers.. lovin the reports ..
Great to be able to click in at any time and get the updates.. Is our man Brian Ahern still in the bunch.. he was in a chasing bunch to the leaders at last check..
CMON THE ORWELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done on the reports.. Brilliant.. Really feel I am in the thick of the action even though stuck at the desk ... Allez Allez...........
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Great service. Keep up the good work.
Colm O'Maonaigh
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Well done Shane,its great to be able to keep up with the race while at work,just have to try and not crash while reading the updates.
Scott Kinsella
Diamond T, Stuck on the M50
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Hi Shane,
Great coverage of the race. Interesting to note that both Anthony and Van der Velde are both multi discipline cyclists/cyclo cross riders.Young irish cyclists take note.
Pass on our best wishes to our own cyclo cross star Roger and gang.
All the best.
Seamus & Sean Downey
Banbridge cc
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Shane cracking job, just sitting in work keeping the page open !!!! pass on good luck to the orwell boys . Caught your phone interview on the giro the other day , fair play to ya it came across very well
Enda Smyth
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Great coverage, it is keeping me on the edge of my seat!
Regards,
Peter McDunphy
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Great work on the updates again this year! Great to see Kenneally take a big win! Hopefully see more of him later in the week as GC unfolds.
With 140 riders it is gonna be very hard for county riders out the back, bunch or bust – no handy groups etc.
Looking forward to see what Scanlon can do on the road to Sligo. Good luck to Liam and the lads!
Kieran Keane
Kilcullen CC
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it,s now 22.27pm and i,ve just got round to reading the live report and i must say that it was great to read even though i already new the result.ps hope to hear a mention for a young adam armstrong who is riding for the usher squad in his first ras at the young age of 20.pps keep up the great coverage.
Yours Greatfully Ashley Patterson.
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Hi Shane,
Great to have the race coming through like this.A wonderful result today for Brian and for Irish cycling.When you see him,please pass on my congratulations Yepeeee!!! Keep it going.
Paddy Power
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Hi Shane
Had to leave the race thismorning, Have sent the two girls from the office on the race for 2 days, to gain some sporting experience.
Realy enjoyed the updates, am frustrated to be missing the race, but hoping to join it on Friday.
Excellent win for Brian....And well deserved
Keep up the good work,, See you at the end of the week.
Declan Bryne
Executive Director
Cycling Ireland
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Great coverage of the race, it is a welcom distraction from revision for A levels. Did you know that Jesse Anthony is the U.S. U23 Cyclo-cross champion! He has pretty active today and yesterday, it will be interesting to see how he fares over the next few days.
Cheers,
Allister MacSorley.
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Keep up the good work Shane.
Well done to Comeragh Waterford on a great first stage.
Peter Kelly
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Hi Shane and Anto great to see the reports again...ahh I can feel what I'm missing. I mailed from Peru in 2005, this time its China !! All the best to the Irish this year.
James Walsh
Ravens CRT
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Hi Shane,
Well done on all of the live reports.
They give me the chance to follow the progress of family, friends and workmates from across the Irish Sea.
Keep up the good work.
Yours sincerely,
Brendan Moriarty
Coaching and Education Officer
British Cycling
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Once again Shane well done.
Your daily report is the perfect medicinal compound for any Rasitis sufferer. Of course you are also saving me a fortune in phone calls as instead of plauging our Team manager all day I hit the buttons here now and then and Seamus Kennedy breaths a sigh of relief.
Brian Connaughton
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Great to get the live feed Shane, nearly, beats having to ride the race……..NOT!!!!..... does beat having to ring Frank every 20 mins to see what I am missing.
Keep up the great work, I will be back soon!!
Tommy Evans
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Great idea, keep it rolling !
keeps all us x-ras men on the race!
cheers Shane
Denis O'Shea, Killarney
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Hi Shane,
Great to hear you again on the live reports. This is the third year I have read you're live reports from Poland. It's super to keep update with what's happening in the Ras. I always brings back so many memories even from my last Ras in 1989.. I know a long time ago. Shane keep up the good work, you're contribution to Irish cycling is second to none well done…….
PS Give my regards and best wishs to the Meath MD Stamullen team especially Frank O' Connor and off course Gaybo……..
Martin Thompson
Poland
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Hooked already…..
Well done shane.
Tina Quirke
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Here Live Reports were last updated:Feb 2nd, 2010 - 19:01:59
