Ross Collins was in a 3 man break away on the fourth & final stage of the Newry 3-day last weekend. Both the outgoing & incoming Club Captains, Ian Richardson & Gavin Haberlin, also competed. Unfortunately they could not match the efforts & success of the Paddy Flannagan riders.

Friday started with an easy 60km “flat” 4 lap affair.  When the flag dropped a group of about four riders went UTR.  They were joined by about nine others that were pinging off the front of the bunch.  UCD unfortunately had no presence at the front of the bunch and didn’t get a man in the break.  A few other teams did not have anyone in the break including Cuchulainn (who had eight strong riders in the race).  As Cuchulainn took up the chase early, other teams decided not to work.  UCD saw the danger and Ian and Gav were up helping early on.  Ross was still convinced the break would be pulled back and left it too late until the second half of the race to contribute to the pulls at the front.  The break had nearly 2.30 at one stage but once all the UCD riders and Cuchulainn started working well the gap was coming down.  On the final lap a diversion took us up the nasty ‘Grinan Hill’. At nearly 2k in length and ramps of 10% this split the break and the bunch.  Ian just lost contact with the bunch due to his efforts on the front earlier.  Ross and Gav rolled in with the bunch losing 1.15 to the winner.

Stage 2 usually is a TT in 3 days.  However an 85k road stage was scheduled. Three laps of a rolly circuit before two big climbs and the uphill sprint to the finish.  Ian trying to make up lost time attacked hard early but TVR (the yellow jersey’s team) would not let anything go.  Gav and Ross were happy to wait for the two big climbs of the day.  Ross found himself in bad position at the foot of the climb when 2 riders attacked off the front.  These riders picked up the 2 sets of KOH points for the day.  Ross instead marked the polka dot jersey all the way up the first climb with Gav just sitting a few wheels back.  Ross was able to get away in a small group over the top of the climb but never pulled out a big advantage before being reeled in at the foot of the next climb.  The pace was hard up the second climb in attempt to close down the two riders ahead.  Over the top of the climb and the bunch was greatly diminished.  The polka dot jersey was shelled out the back as the pace was relentless.  Ian just lost contact, again due possibly riding too hard early on.  Ross and Gav never took up the sprint with Gav thinking about the TT later.

Finally the bad weather promised for the weekend arrived.  Strong headwinds and rain greeted the riders as they set off for the shortened TT course due to road works.  The one complaint that any of the riders had with the race regarded the finish of the TT.  A marshal stood 200m before the finish line and there was no chequered flag at the actual finish line.  This resulted in some riders freewheeling over the line.  Others, including Ian shouted to the marshal 200m before the finish “Is this it?” only to be told no it was the next set of cars.  However with no flag and the time keepers sitting inside the car due to the rain, some riders kept on riding a few kilometres further (Ian and Gav).  Ross realised he is going to have to splash the cash on a TT machine if he really wants to compete in these 3 day races.  Also a proper warm up needs to be done.  Sitting in the car with the heater on does not count.

Sunday morning, legs tired and a 90k road race to finish up.  A nice rolly course with no major climbs but a few testing drags.  Gav and Ross talked about attacking early but Ross said he needed his legs to loosen up a bit first.  However when two Newry riders jumped and the bunch slowed Ross saw his opportunity.  The three worked well together and had a good advantage for about 15k until finally getting caught.  Finally UCD had their tactics right.  After the counter attack went Gav jumped and attempted to bridge across.  He came close but didn’t quite making it.  An impressive effort of five minutes soloing off the front.  This was the main break of the day and remnants of this break stayed away ‘til about 5k from the finish.  UCD were unlucky not to have anyone in it.  With about 3k to go a big pile up happened.  No-one is sure what caused it but Ian was taken down but luckily had a soft landing on top of a Team Basso rider and came away unscathed.  This was a frustrating finish of the weekend for Ian as his form had been getting better day on day after his long period off the bike.

A frustrating weekend for UCD as they had expected a lot more before the event.  However form improving, lessons learned.  Bring on the next race.

For coverage of the race see: http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DT8xrhTVnSMI%26feature%3Dfeedu

Coverage of the UCD riders starts at 1'40" into the video & lasts until 2'50".