FDB Insurance RAS Stage 1

Funny enough, I must say the Jet lag has not been bad as expected. I think the help of getting into a quick stage race routine has been some help. Well, still was daunting task to awake at 7am thins morning for a 12pm start that was only a half an hour away. It’s simply the way it is sometimes, with bus transport of riders without enough team cars and parades to start us off for the tour.

The race went well for us today. The routine flurry of attacks at the start of the race ended shorter than normal as a small group got away very early on. We were attentive though as J. Anthony made contact with the group of 5 or so riders that slowly crept away from the field. Jesse rode well all day in the break getting a few bonus seconds sprints and picking up the KOM points. For us in the field it was rather easy, and gave us some more rest from our long trip over here. The tempo was fairly steady up the climb, but there still was only 20~ of us cresting the climb while the rest of the field did not keep pace. The field came back slowly on the long descent and the chase began, headed by Kelly Benefits whom missed the breakaway opportunity. The 3min. gap was brought back with 15km to the finish. We then got ourselves organized and set a lead out for D. Rollin. We managed things rather well, but our legs seemed to still feel poochie, (HB word) from our trip and did not have the full horsepower to hold of the charge from the rears, however Dom still managed a solid 4th place.

Overall, we are rather pleased with today. Our bike held up very well on the bumpy Irish farm roads, no skipping gears with our SRAM gruppo and our Michelin tires survived with no flats, which is fantastic considering how many guys kept going back for new wheels. We are all in good shape for the race, I hope things continue this way, as then the top of the podium won’t be so far away.