Two Galway cyclists will hit the road on Sunday as part of a Connacht team in the 1,260km eight-day An Post Ras.
Annaghdown’s Derek Joyce is taking part in his second Ras, along with newcomer Sean McInerney from Oranmore. The two join Padraig Marrey of Ballinrobe, the team's most experienced rider who is making his 12th Ras appearance, while the fourth member is Ballina’s Paddy Clarke - a recent recruit for the team after returning from three years racing in Belgium.
This year the team is the only one to represent Connacht alongside 38 teams in this UCI 2.2 ranked event, a significant reduction from the four teams that represented the province last year.
According to Joyce, more professional teams have entered this premier event in recent years, making it more difficult for amateur riders to compete. Last year's stage into Glengarrif saw 28 amateur riders eliminated for falling outside the time limit for the stage.
Joyce, who competed last year, describes the race as both "hugely rewarding and soul destroying".
However this year's route is similar to last year, with a furious pace expected to be set in the first few stages from the 180 riders within the bunch.
"Twenty two gears is a waste of time for these stages, you go straight into highest gear for the day," says Joyce. " Last year averaged 46kph for the first four-hour stage from Dublin to Longford.
"Crashes are not uncommon as it does take a bit of getting used to the skinny tanned French rider behind you, rubbing his brake levers on the cheeks of your arse mile after mile. It’s not because he likes you, he is just making his way to the front and you're in his way. These stages can be as mentally draining as physically and keeping wits about you is important. But with family and friends for the opening stages, the atmosphere and adrenalin is unbelievable and can get you over the opening rounds.”
The closest the race comes to Galway is next Monday, hitting Mountbellew at 11:40, en route to Moylough, Abbeyknockmoy, Athenry (12:30 ), Craughwell, Ardrahan, Kinvara, Ballyvaughan (13:30 ), finishing in Lisdoonvarna (14:20 ).
The race then heads south wards into Kerry, Cork and towards Wicklow. McInerney says it is a long way from Lisdoonvarna to Dublin through the Kerry and Wickow mountains.
“Once we hit the south, any adrenalin from early days will likely get replaced with the reality of what's ahead and the legs can start screaming early on in stages. I’m expecting some of these stages to be dangerous, with stage five and seven a worry with some early climbs. If you get into trouble early in these stages, it could be a long lonely day fighting with the time limit.”
Pat Coyne (Shannonside ) manages the team, with Felix Jackson (Ballinrobe ) the lead mechanic, and former Connacht Rugby physio, who is now with Irish Rugby, Robbie Fox, joining the team in a masseur role.
McInerney says it has been a hard road since last November.
"A lot of cold wintery dark mornings to get the miles in. Recent results for the team have being very positive, but this race is at another level. The fear of repeating last year's early elimination is really driving us. I just hope it;s enough”
The team will join 184 other riders, of whom 86 are professional, for the race around Ireland.
Follow the team’s progress at http://www.facebook.com/TheroadtotheRAS .
