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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
SEAN KELLY TEAM: Paris - Roubaix Espoirs
By Sean Kelly Team
30 May 2006,
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| Sean Kelly Team reports are brought to you by www.dmcsports.ie |
Paris - Roubaix Espoirs, 28th May 2006
The M-Donnelly ACLVB Sean Kelly team selected for the race was Stijn Minne, Bart Cosyn, Eoin Concannon, Ciaran Kelly and Andrew McQuaid. Team Manager on the day was Eve Peteryns, Mechanic - Franke, Soigneur - Danny Vandermassen. Also at the race with the team was Johan, who was to be at several locations along the course with spare wheels and bottles, and team photographer Cindy Trossart.
The race was 179 kilometres long, with 21 sections of cobbles totalling 34.9km in length, with it the finish in the famous velodrome in Roubaix. The weather in the week preceding the event consisted of a lot of heavy rain showers. On the day the rain stayed away, although the cobbles were still wet and slippy from the previous days, and there was a sharp wind blowing but the sun was shining on the day, much to the relief of a lot of riders.
The team plan was formed around Stijn Minne, with the other riders’ mission being to help him in whatever way possible. Stijn finished 15th in Paris - Roubaix in 2005, this year he was going all out for the win and a podium place was definitely possible. A week ago he ran out the comfortable winner of a Kermesse race in Laarne, highlighting his good form.
The race started fast, with all 160 riders fighting to get to the front. With the first section of cobbles being after 51 kilometres there was plenty of fighting time to be in the front hitting them. As expected there were the usual dangerous lock-ons although only one crash occurred. None of the Kelly riders were involved.
The first 50 kilometres were along hilly exposed roads. Early on a break of 20 riders managed to slip away. Unfortunately no Kelly riders managed to get into it, but the team did a good job for Stijn bringing him to the front when possible and keeping him out of the wind.
Out of nowhere, after roughly 35 kilometres done the race was blown apart. In a very hard crosswind section the bunch lined out dramatically and then split into several echelons. Unfortunatly the Kelly riders were not too well placed for this turn of events Andrew was beside Stijn in the line out, he brought him as far up the outside of the bunch as he could before slipping back. Ciaran managed to go with Stijn. When the echelons formed the break was still away, next was a small chasing group, then the group of Stijn and Ciaran, then the group of Andrew, Eoin and Bart. Andrew managed to get into a split which got up to the group of Stijn and Ciaran, with Eoin and Bart being caught further behind.
So from there until the cobbles started it was full gas for the front three Kelly riders trying to get back in contact with the leaders. Ciaran and Andrew buried themselves as much as they could at the front of the group and it was nearly all together by the time the cobbles started.
The first four sections of cobbles come one after the other and they are crucial sectors of the race. Once they are over there is a small respite until the next sectors. After the first 4 sectors there was a leading group of 8, then at 50 seconds the group which the Kelly riders had been chasing which now contained Stijn, who had got across on the cobbles. Next came a small chasing group which contained Ciaran, who managed to regain contact with Stijn’s group shortly after. Then a group with Andrew who’s group unfortunately couldn’t bridge the gap, and then several other groups behind.
Until the 5th sector of cobbles Ciaran worked tirelessly at the front of the group chasing the break. Once the cobbles started himself and Stijn were strong trying to jump away into chasing groups. Unfortunatly after 120 kilometres his efforts and youthfulness got the better of Ciaran and he suffered from cramp. Stijn was still strong and continued to try go forwards. Again bad luck hit the team with Stijn suffering from stomach problems and weakening in the last hour due to him being unable to eat all race. He still finished a very creditable 21st.
Ciaran slipped back to Andrew’s group, who had recovered well after the first 4 sectors and was able to keep going forwards passing riders. Ciaran punctured with 8km to go and had to rim it to the veledrome and finished in 66th place. For a first year Espoir, Ciaran had a very good ride highlighting his talent, he was very strong on the cobbles. Just to finish is a big achievement at that age and he is definitely one to watch out for as a potential winner of the race in 2 or 3 years time. Andrew managed to win the sprint from his group, finishing 53rd, he is last year espoir but it was also a good ride by him to finish the race on his first attempt at riding the cobbles. For a race like Paris Roubaix, for most riders to do well, experience at it is essential. For Ciaran especially, finishing it will stand to him greatly in his next three years attempts.
The race was won by a Rabobank Continental team rider, with a Dane coming 2nd and a Belgian rider third.
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| Sean Kelly Team reports are brought to you by www.dmcsports.ie |
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