Junior Tour of Ireland

The Junior Tour of Ireland is an international cycling stage race. It has 6 stages that cover 600 kilometres in Co. Clare Ireland. It designed for junior cyclists aged 17-18. With about 100 foreign riders , some riders even on professional development teams there is a lot of talent at the race.

Of the roughly 130 riders who started 103 finished, I placed 99th. While on paper this would be nothing less than a sheer disappointment I was grateful to finish the race. 

Preparation

My preparation going into the race was not ideal. After my success at the Cotter Cup I was given the opportunity to race for Cycling Munster at the Junior Tour. However, with my Leaving Certificate Exams just a few weeks before the Junior Tour, training went on hold. For those unfamiliar it only takes 2 weeks to lose the top end of one’s cycling fitness. With this in mind it was impossible to regain my previous level of fitness before the race started. I tried to see where my legs by doing some open races. I took part in the Sean Nolan Grand Prix and the Mulling Grand Prix as well as local league races. With no notable results from any of these races confidence was at a low. Given the caliber of riders here that didn’t turn out too good. I did have some hope as the race was taking place in Co. Clare and I was familiar with the roads. 

Stage 1

The first stage was about 64 kilometres and took place in the evening. After making way down to the Hotel signing on and getting acquainted with my fellow teammates it was go time. It was my first time riding in a peloton that big. It was very nerve-racking as everyone was jostling for a position at the front. If you aren’t constantly trying to stay at the front you will end up at the back – the washing machine effect. About 8 kilometres in there was a narrowing on an already small road as we went over a stone bridge. A race motorbike fell on a rider and then the rest of the peloton got caught behind. I was one of those who avoided the crash but was caught behind. I got spat out the back of a chase group and spent the next 40ish kilometres with a few other riders until the finish. I knew going into this race that I was going to be at the back end but I wasn’t prepared to be this far back. It was difficult to stay mentally “locked in”. 

Stage 2

The second stage was roughly 97 kilometres. Going into this stage I was feeling good. I was going down to Kilrush where I had just won the Cotter Cup in May. I also was hoping that guys wouldn’t be as fresh with a day of racing in the legs. Because I was dropped yesterday I wasn’t fatigued and hoped to stick with the bunch to the finish. At 17 kilometres into Stage 2 I was in good position and hit a pothole at 60 kilometres an hour. I got a rear flat tyre. I also realised that my spare bike had mountain bike pedals on it and my race bike had road pedals. Meaning in the event I had to switch bike, I couldn’t use it. Luckily, my spare wheel was sufficient. I then sat behind the team car for about 40 kilometres until I caught a group which I could work with until the line. The weather for the week was meant to be blisteringly hot but as we reached the coast the rain came in. The group and I worked well together. Until the last 10 kilometres where I could only sit on at the back. Another day done and another day to forget. I was happy that I had a group to work with and not stranded by myself.  

Stage 3

With roughly 103 kilometres on the cards for today’s stage. I tried to stay positive once more. The rain came in as we set off and the racing along the flat before the stage’s climb was very rapid. However riding in the bunch is very easy on the flat because of the draft benefit. I survived the first climb but I was at the back of the peloton going down the descent. Usually. descents get stringed out so the distance between the first and last rider grows. There was a high speed crash where two of my teammates came down. I was too far back and missed it. But I spent too much energy trying to close the gap to the front group before the climb started. Once we reached the bottom of the climb I was once again spat out the back and once again was behind the car most of the way to the finish. Today was strange as I wasn’t able to get my heart rate very high, clearly my lack of vo2 training but also portably because I gave up. 

Stage 4

On today’s menu was roughly 120 kilometres through pretty much local roads to me. The day started off brilliantly as I was comfortable in the group and despite a few sketchy moments on very narrow roads I was able to get to the base of the first climb and I held on. However by the time I got to the second climb of the day I got squeezed out the back. I just didn’t have that final kick to hold the wheel and slowly got dropped. Found a group and almost got back and we would’ve if there weren’t so many buses and cars on the road as they forced the convoy and us to break and slow down so we lost valuable seconds. But once again another day behind he car and the heat was starting to play a factor. It was very hot and I didn’t fuel properly. I also lost a bottle somewhere near Fanore. Rolled in with the group to the line as per. 

Stage 5

With only 100km and really good legs I really thought that this would be my day to stay with the peloton. I managed to stick at the pointy of the race for 70 kilometres. Got over the climbs and was feeling amazing. Until Ballyvaughan there was a huge tractor on the course opposing us. I was on the outside of the bunch and I ended up crashing at 50km/h and beneath the tractor. My rear mech was severely bent and I was pretty banged up. I had to switch bikes. I then crashed again at 50km/h this time I rolled over a few times and really did a lot of damage. I broke the hangar on my spare bike. I broke my helmet, glasses and my watch. Nevermind all the road rash, loose skin, bruising and wounds I received. Nevertheless, I continued the adrenaline at this stage was absolutely pumping. I was very determined and I caught a few riders. I felt suprisingly good and despite 3 dropped chains, I rolled over the line in my usual 10-20 minutes down. I went to the ambulance and then the hospital. The shower was absolutely painful and I had to get 4 stitches in my right elbow. My road rash and wounds sticked to my clothes and my face was pretty banged up. Sleeping on my side was challenging to the say the least but I was determined to finish the race. 

Stage 6

The final stages mission was survival. Unfortunately, just out of neutral I had a mechanical and then took a wrong turn my race was over. I was dropped before 5 kilometres to go. I did 3 laps before getting pulled. I was credited with a time and finished the race.