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Last Updated: 6 Apr 2018 - 3:10:13 PM |
6 DAY JUNIOR TOUR OF IRELAND STARTS TODAY
By Tommy Campbell
10 Jul 2012,
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The tapes are about to go up for the 34th edition of the International Junior Tour which will be based in Castlebar where the entourage with the 'tour' will be based.
And this evening it will be go go go! Start is at seven o'clock when you see messrs Philip O'Brien and Mark Kavanagh fit regally into their roles.
Home to the JT for the last number of years has been the Lough Lannagh Holiday Village and there is always a welcome on the mat.
The enthusiasm is still as bright as it was the first day that the Junior Tour took to the roads way back in 1978.
Today it is still a beacon for juniors to dip their feet into the cauldron of stage racing.
Little did the man, JJ McCormack who started it all way back in the 70's, realise that he lit a candle that never dimmed.
In the last few years that candle has been flickering, but the will of Alice Sherratt and her loyal band of trusted lieutenants have kept the JT on the road.
The last number of years have been difficult, but to summon up the energy is mind boggling when you look around and see the sponsorship that various cycling events have at their disposal.
But the 'never say die attitude' keeps the show on the road. You have only to consider that many of stars of today's peloton cut their teeth in this unique event.
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| Nicolas Roche won the Junior Tour in 2002 |
The very first winner, Martin Early was indeed a great ambassador for our sport. World champions, Richard Groendaal, Mark Scanlon, Kai Reus. Other notables include Ian Stannaard, Nicholas Roche, Aidan Duff, Robert Gesink, Simon Coughlan, Bradley Wiggns, Mark Cavendish, Daniel Martin the list endless.
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| Current World road race champion Mark Cavandish (center) was on Stuart Hallam's Dataphonics team in the 2003 Junior Tour which was based in Waterford |
Today (Tuesday) the 34th edition will make waves as it gears up to take on roads in Co. Mayo. Their eyes will be on the road and hopefully their management teams will have the opportunity to take in the scenery.
I have to say it is like been at a poker game and not knowing the cards that are been dealt.
You can be sure this time around that the final day on Sunday the 15th is going to be the one to put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Going up 'Windy Gap' in a car is breathtaking with power steering, but the cyclists have to produce their own power to stay in the hunt. Once is tough, but twice up that climb is going to prove one mighty effort.
Maybe, but I doubt it that the race will have a clear leader in the overall standings as we head into that final stage of 106kms.
Or maybe stage four which takes in Achill and that massive pimple half way around the island. Heretofore after that climb the race has split up with many groups on the road. For the majority there stage had been run, but on this occasion the trek goes back off the island with a stage finish outside Nevins Restaurant and the possibility of a re-grouping is not a possibility, but a probability.
The new strategy for the opening event is not the one that has been on the menu for many a year. The trek up to the summit of 'Windy Gap' was challenging to say the least. This time around it is a flat 7kms which will show up the pure sprinters who go in search of the first yellow jersey of the International Junior Tour.
Again this time around, we welcome teams from Great Britain, Holland, South Africa, USA and the home teams.
For the last number of years a home victory has not been recorded! But one would assume that the time has come for the familiar Irish tunic to back in the shop window.
Just checked the declared starters and I firmly believe that there are six who would have the A plus on their side.
But, it has never happened before and they say that lightening strikes twice. Well! Then in the frame you would be off your trolley not to nominate Thomas Wrona of Hot Tubes. He hardly has come across the Atlantic to make up the numbers. He has a strong team to back him. Thomas was the youngest winner ever in the 33 year history.
On the StenaLine Irish team, you would need to see a psychiatrist if you were to ignore Ryan Mullen. He has the explosive kick in a TT, but I was fortunate to see him in close proximity in the Shay Elliott Memorial back in May when he was granted special permission to mix it with the big boys and he did not disappoint. Away in a break of five for 60kms he never missed a beat. Also he'll lay down a marker for others to follow and particularly in the TT. Still, the earth will not move in his favour over 7kms.
Two men who have had success with their team members in recent years, John Crawford and Henk Wintermann know a thing or two about the JT.
Also it is great to see two lads who had horrific falls last year on the Achill stage. Sean McKenna and Shaun Rigley back to wipe the slate clean on their respective Leinster teams.
USA-based Killington Mountain School (KMS) team have made the journey for the time to take part in this unique event. They stopped off in Bunclody on Sunday to get the jet lag out of there legs. They also left a message that they are up for the JT when they .finished one two in the A4 event. Brendan Rhim and Ansel Dickey are the two riders who on paper will be in the thick of the hunt for stages and the overall. Rhim was recently crowned USA national champion as he won the Junior Men 17-18.
But in the final analysis, I think the big two will be Wrona and Mullen.
Watch this space.
RACE ROUTE FOR THE
34th EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR TOUR
Stage one Tuesday 10th-7kms Time Trial Ross Stores/Knockthomas, 19.00;
Stage two Wednesday 11th-110kms, Westport/Westport, 12.00;
Stage three Thursday 12th-115.5kms, Castlebar/Ballycastle,12.00;
Stage four Friday 13th-98.5kms-Mulrany Park Hotel/Nevins Restaurant, 12.00;
Stage five Saturday 14th-88.3kms-Castlebar/Castlebar, 12.00;
Stage six Sunday 15th-106.8kms-Castlebar/Windy Gap, 11.00.
(Pictures by Peter Purfield)
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