Stage Race Fever for Youth Teams

Post date: Aug 08, 2017 9:17:24 AM

(By Shay O'Toole - Mon. 7th August 2017)

Thanks to John Boyne for the following report on his experiences at the 2017 Junior Tour of Ireland which he rode with a Leinster Development squad...

"The Junior Tour of Ireland took place from the 11th-16th of July in Ennis, Co. Clare where I was faced with the challenge of six days racing over 500km.

Stage 1 was a TT where I gave it everything I had for the 6.5km test.

Stage 2 was a 109km road race with many categorised climbs. This was a hard race with many crashes in the first few kilometres which broke up the peloton, although I was happy and finished strongly back in Ennis.

Stage 3 was a 105km race out along the Cliffs of Moher which was brutal to say the least as it started raining after just 10km. I was unlucky to be caught up in a crash (along with 20 others) but I was delighted to escape with just a couple of scratches. I now know to stay away from anyone with carbon wheels in the wet although I finished strongly again and moved up on GC so, I was very happy about the stage.

The final stage was a 77km race which was very fast and I was in the second group for most of the race. However, I actually ended up winning one of the primes in a sprint (I couldn't believe it) and was unlucky not to win a second by a few inches. Anyway, it was good to get up and accept the prize on stage afterwards.

After every stage all of our team would go down to the hotel swimming pool to relax which helped greatly and then we went to dinner. Overall it was a very good and enjoyable experience with the Leinster team. Thanks to all of my team mates Philip Wade and John wall for their support and I am already looking forward to doing it again next year."

Errigal Youth Tour:

Last weekend the youths were in action at the International Errigal Youth Tour in Donegal. The team went to this race on the back of some very strong performances with Aaron Wade having claimed a double victory in recent weeks. He was first home in the Clonard CC senior race and then stepped up onto the top of the podium after winning the U16 event at the Brendan Campbell memorial in Donore, Co. Louth. Aoife O’Brien was also first girl home in Donore whilst both Conor Farrell and Leo Gunning rode very well to finish with the main bunch.

Youth squad warming up ahead of the time trial in the Errigal Youth Tour in Donegal.