2003 Index
Tour de Langkawi by Brian Kelly January 29th to February 7th 2003
Haribo & Haut Var by Brian Kelly March 2003
Fleche Wallone - recommended by Alain Beaufayt (+photos) March 2003
G.P.Lugano, G.P.Chiasso, Switzerland by Brian Kelly March 2003
West Vlanderen 3 Day by Brian Kelly March 26th 2003
Eric Breukink 3 Day by Brian Kelly March 14th 2003
Settimana by Brian Kelly March 26th 2003
Season Launch: Press Statement by Terry Quinlan March 27th 2003
Ashbourne CP- Freds first Win!! by Fred Harte April 6th 2003
The racing season - so far by Hugh Byrne May 31st 2003
Club Road Race C/ship, Boot Inn.(+photos)by Hugh Byrne July 23rd 2003
IVCA Age (40-49) C/ship, Summerhill by Liam Maguire July 27th 2003
Duane Delaney Memorial by Keith Daly August 22nd 2003
Ras Teach Malain: Stamullen 2 Day by Darren McMahon August 29/30th 2003
'Woodlands House' Adare 2-Day by Keith Daly September 13/14th 2003
Hello from Firenza, Italy (+photo)by Brian Kelly September 23rd 2003
Ladies TQ Paper 2-Day by Bernie McNally October 4th/5th 2003

Ladies TQ Paper 2-Day October 4th/5th 2003
Report from Bernie McNally
The best ride of our lives - on wheels!
Day 1: 64.4k, 8 laps of Boot Inn Circuit followed by 2k time trial
Saturday the 4^th Oct dawned a chilly day. This was the morning we had all been waiting for. The legs had been shaved and the carbs had been loaded. Now it was time to show the guys that we could unchain ourselves from the kitchen sink and kick ass. Emma, Colleen, Caroline, Grace, Breda and Bernie arrived at Sportslink, still not sure of what we were letting ourselves in for. Armed with bananas, energy bars and jelly babies, we donned our tight lycra (that hide no wobbly bits) and were ready for action. The pace was neutralised up as far as the Boot Inn, where we were let off. The first 3 laps were agony, when you start to think that you would rather eat the bike than go any further! Grace, who was on the Lenister team, stuck with the main bunch. After about 5 laps, Caroline, Colleen and myself formed a great group and finished together with Emma and Breda close on our heels. Grace, in the thick of it all day, finished a credible 9th in the mass sprint for the stage. At the finish line, everybody was congratulating each other on finishing the race, delighted that we all had managed to do it. Of course we could have stood there all day yapping, but as it was cold we headed back to Sportslink. The aches and pains of the first stage were thankfully eased by Catriona Byrne, (Arc Aromatherapy), who gave all the Swords ladies a full body massage which prepared us for the next 2 stages. Coupled with a great chat and sambos, we were ready for action again for our "I can’t believe its not 200k" time trial. We all found it tough.

Day 2: 70k, including every hill in North Co Dublin!
One of those days that you don’t want to get out of bed as you know what lies ahead!! Thankfully it didn’t seem as cold as Saturday. Once again the pace was neutralised as far as the boot inn, where the girls made up for it and took off like rockets!! Grace and Emma stuck with the bunch, while Colleen, Breda, Caroline and myself formed our own group with about 15 riders in total. Once again, we had a great pace and really enjoyed the spin. The hills were tough and we didn’t have "the hand of God" to help us, but gritted in. Caroline took off in the Naul and stayed away, would love to know what she had for brekkie!!! All in all we really enjoyed the race, and were delighted to finish. We are already looking forward to next year!
(BTW I saw those 15 sprint it out at the finish and it was 'eyeballs out' - Hugh)

Swords CC members have become a new form of vegitation, popping up in ditches all over north county Dublin!! Every corner we turned there was plenty of cheering and support. We were amazed at the support from the club, thanks to everyone who stood patiently in the cold to offer support, it meant a lot.
<Brian Carolans Site : Results of TQ Paper 2 Day etc>
<Photos on Irish Cycling.com>

Right girls, what next ??
Bernie McNally

Hello from Firenza, Italy September 23rd 2003 Race the weekend was in Firenza Italy select group here of Rebbelin, Casagrande, Lanfranchi, Camenzind, Bo Hamburger, Petito. Rebbelin went on to win in the end followed by Hamburger then Camenzind(who was pissed off to say the least) Rebbelin punctured on the top of the last climb and got back on even after Casgrande went to the fore and made the most of Rebbellins bad luck. Ciao B

'Woodlands House' Adare 2-Day September 13/14th 2003
Report from Keith Daly
Adare two-day: My first ever stage race win!!!! And hopefully not my last. I was going into the weekend just hoping to maybe win a stage or at least get up there. I was riding on the Leinster team which was fairly strong and they were a big help (one was at least).

Stage 1. The stage was only forty miles long, the wind was terrible and the attacks were going all day none of which managed to stay away for more than a few mile. For the last ten-mile we had a strong tail wind which felt like someone was pushing you along. The pace went up a lot with a few brave or stupid riders (which ever way you see it) trying to go of the front, with the pace so high it was just a suicide mission. It came down to a bunch sprint, with all the sprinters licking their lips things got a bit hectic. I was not happy with the finish, the last kilometre was a gradual down which got steeper closer to the finish. There were also three or so traffic islands in the last K with one about 150/200 metres to go. I hit the last one and nearly had a heart attack at the age of seventeen!!!!After that I just pedalled in because a decent place was out of my reach. I ended up ninth which I was happy enough with because I think it is a confidence builder just to see your name up there on GC going into the next stage!!!
Stage 1, Charleville – Charleville: 1, David Duffy (Cuchulainn CC) 1 hour 32 mins 2 secs; 2, P. Rowland (Kanturk Credit Union) same time; 3, C. Crawley (Stamullen M. Donnelly) at 2 secs; 4, F. O’Connor (Fermoy); 5, R. Maes (Killarney A); 6, P. O’Connor (Killarney B) all same time

Stage 2, The dreaded time-trial. I was nervous going into the time trial because in the past I have lost places on GC as a result of this stage. But I was so determined to do well and hold my position into the last day. It was a 2.7-mile time-trial in windy conditions, I felt I had good legs and I got a gear spinning instead of trying to grind a big gear, which is not wise especially in a windy TT. I finished sixth and was very happy with my performance (which made a nice change). My team-mate actually won the stage and went into yellow……………
Stage 2, 2.5 mile time trial: 1, Brian Harris (Leinster) 5 mins 7 secs; 2, B. Hammond (Usher IRC) at 5.10 secs; 3, J. Dillon (Ravens) at 5.12 secs

Stage 3. Being honest I was not over the moon that the team was in yellow because it meant chances of overall victory were gone!!I know I shouldn’t say that. The stage was a lot like stage 1, lots of early attacks. I was under instructions just to sit in the bunch and hold my place on GC and defend the jersey. Which I was doing until the last 15 mile. A break went down the road, I went to the front to bring it back and someone let my wheel go I got a gap and decided to try and ride across to the break, which was only at about 30 secs. I could see them all the time, which was a help. I put the head down and pushed the pedals, HARD! Praying that I would not blow up. I finally made it up to them. There were three up there, me making four. One of them was my teammate, we had a long discussion about whether we should ride through, and we decided we would!! I started riding through screaming at my companions to pick up the pace, I knew I was ‘yellow jersey on the road’ because I only needed nine seconds. We were joined by Micheal Lucey who is the junior national champion. We got organised and with very twisting roads to our advantage we held a gap of only around one minute, which was reduced to 25/30 seconds towards the end. Lucey told me we only had 2K to go I went to the front and rode as hard as I could with only lucey helping me, the two of us worked all the way to the last 250 metres. I didn’t care about the stage, in the last K I was just thinking about every second I could get. Lucey came around me still working with only 300 metres to go, I couldn’t believe it I was second in line. I wasn’t even going to sprint but when I saw that chequered flag I think instinct took over and I started sprinting automatically, I took the stage and the overall and I was so tired I couldn’t lift my arms all the way!!!!
Stage 3: 1, Keith Daly (Leinster) 2 hours 8 mins 30 secs; 2, F. Ennis (Leinster); 3, L. Dumoulin (Kanturk Credit Union); 4, M. Lucey (Killarney CC); 5, J. Reidy (Newbridge CC) at 4 secs; 6, B. Quinn (Limerick CC) at 15 secs

Final overall: 1, Keith Daly, 3 hours 45 mins 50 secs; 2, L. Dumoulin (Kanturk), at 3 secs; 3, M. Lucey (Killarney), same time; 4, B. Hammond (Usher IRC) at 14 secs; 5, B. Quinn (Limerick, at 15 secs; 6, S. Spratt (St. Finbarr’s) at 19 secs; 7, M. Nestor (Shannonside) at 22 secs; 8, M. Hickey (Dungarvan) at 23 secs; 9, C. Crawley (Stam MD), same time; 10, M. Hartery (Autoview) at 24 secs Results couresy of IrishCycling.com <Article from Fingal Independant by Gerard Cromwell> pdf file

Final overall: 1, Daly, 3 hours 45 mins 50 secs; 2, Dumoulin, at 3 secs; 3, Lucey, same time; 4, B. Hammond (Usher IRC) at 14 secs; 5, Quinn, at 15 secs; 6, S. Spratt (St. Finbarr’s) at 19 secs; 7, M. Nestor (Shannonside) at 22 secs; 8, M. Hickey (Dungarvan) at 23 secs; 9, Crawley, same time; 10, M. Hartery (Autoview) at 24 secs
Results couresy of IrishCycling.com

Keith Daly

Ras Teach Malain: Stamullen 2 DayAugust 29/30th 2003
Report by Darren McMahon
Stage 2 of the Stamullen 2-day was run over 13 laps of a 2 mile circuit around Gormanstown. Myself & Jason finished 9th & 10th on the previous stage, and this meant McNally Swords was placed 5th in the Team standings, only 2 points behind 3rd, so it was all to play for. We had a team talk and decided we had to have a Swords rider cover every move that went up the road. I was disappointed at missing the break on stage 1, which went clear when three riders contested a prime and kept going, but I was determined to make up for it today. After about 6 laps, a group of 5 riders went clear and I knew this what the move I had t o be in. I attacked on the main road, using another rider who was stranded between the bunch and the break as a stepping stone. Upon reaching the lone rider we worked hard together to make contact with the break and were soon joined by Keith Sharkey. We ha d the gap down to 30 yards or so but as we were fast approaching the turn off the main road, where the break would have the advantage of a strong tailwind, I knew it was now or never to bridge the gap. I took a good racing line into the corner ensuring I c a me out of it a full speed , and gave it everything to close down those last few yards, which all bike riders know are usually the ones that hurt the most! Unfortunately my compatriots didn't quite get on before the tailwind and now, with just 3 laps remai n ing, the break was up to 6 (thankfully including me!) . Our advantage was about 30 seconds, and all 6 riders were working hard to ensure we stayed clear. A time check with 2 laps to go told us that our advantage was now down to 20 seconds, and on the bell we still has 15. On the main road, someone let a wheel go and Karl Dolan got a decisive gap. So what do I do? Try to jump across, bringing everyone with me, or wait for the sprint. As no one else seemed able or willing to counter, I decided to wait for th e sprint. When we were in the finishing straight, I could see the bunch was only about 200 yards behind, but we had only about 300 yards to the line. I was placed about 4th in line, behind Jonathon Ryan (Stamullen MD) . He started his sprint and I went on his wheel. I came around Jonathon, and drew level with Ben Delaney (Bray Wh), and it was a shoulder to shoulder all the way to the line, with me taking it by half a wheel. I was happy with taking the sprint for 2nd place on the stage which also secured 2nd Overall in the event and Ben couldn't have been too disappointed as 3rd gave him overall victory. Jason Kelly was 3rd in the main bunch (9th on the stage) and this helped bring us up to 3rd Team. Overall an enjoyable 2 days racing thanks to Gay, Kay and the Stamullen club and it was finished with dinner, and presentation in the Cock Tavern where we had a rare chance to socialise with our fellow competitors.

Darren McMahon

Duane Delaney Memorial August 22nd 2003
Report from Keith Daly
It's nice to get your first win of the season. It does wonders for your confidence! The race, hosted by Finglas Ravens, was run over six laps of the Boot Inn circuit. We had a handicap so there was no attacking at all, and we were actually very well organised thanks to Sean Bracken who let his voice be heard if anyone was sitting on for too long. The only jumping around was for the primes. After three laps Sean jumped away for one of the primes, he got a good gap. I got greedy so I decided to try and catch him to take the prime myself. Sean took the prime, I had a gap from the group and Sean sat up and waved to me to keep riding up to him. I made it up to him and saw we had a nice little gap so we decided to give it a go. I didn't think we would stay away, but Sean did, so we kept going. As Sean won the previous prime he told me to just take the next one he said he wouldn't contest the sprint because he didn't want to upset the rhythm. So I took the prime now we only had two laps to go and Sean said 'we have a chance`. The wind was terrible around the back of the circuit and sometimes it felt as if we weren't moving at all. Both of us done our fair share of work and there was no messing. As we went on to the last lap I said to Sean to leave the attacking as late as possible because our advantage was not too big. I started to believe I was going to win, I just thought I had to hold him to the line and I would have it no problem! When we took the last corner at the round about I was on Sean's wheel. He attacked out of the corner and got a small gap, I started to worry because it was taking a while to close the gap, and it hurt! I thought my legs would burst. I'm sure every rider knows exactly what I'm talking about. I was on his wheel and I knew I was going to win! I know Sean, and he is no sprinter, but I still didn't lead it out. I was going to take no risks. With about 150 metres to go I kicked and came around him fairly easy with plenty of time to celebrate. I got great coverage from IrishCycling.com and I went into the weekend with great confidence. I wanted to win a race really badly and thought that this win would stop me wanting it, but when you get one you get hooked!! And you want another win even more.
<photos on IrishCycling.com>

Keith Daly

IVCA Age (40-49)C/ship Summerhill July 27th 2003
Report from Liam Maguire
The race today was quite a tactical one with Anto going from the line, meaning that the rest of the Swords had an easy ride for the first lap and a half of this gruelling course. Anto rode very well and had a lead of nearly 2 minutes after a lap. At this stage the Orwell, Dublin Wheelers, Lucan & Newry riders took up the chase and the speed rose dramatically. Time checks on the 2nd lap alerted us Swords riders to the fact that the gap was closing and was now down to 30 sec. It looked like hard work by Gerry Brannigan, Dermot O'Gorman, Jim Maguire, Seamus Haughney & Eddie Lynch was going to bring Anto back and each time just as it looked like it was going to succeed the steam seemed to go out of the chase. As all this was unfolding John Shortt, Gerry Martin & myself were having a 'relatively' comfortable ride as we didn't have to do any of the chasing. As we headed into the final lap the race kicked off in earnest. Seamus Haughney and Jim Maguire got a slight gap as we rode through Summerhill as Dermot & Gerry tried to close and words of wisdom imparted earlier in the season from Sean Lally sprang to mind. It's better to have 2 Swords riders in the break rather than one - it doubles you chances of success and besides it wouldn't be wise for two riders to catch Anto after he had been out there all day. The speed was up and we were lined out as we passes Daingeann Church (much to the bemusement of mass goers!!!). A big jump by myself on the next incline brought me over to Seamus & Jim and it was inevitable that Anto would be caught, but at least he would have some support. When we caught Anto he was understandably tired but still strong enough to stay as we lost Jim on the last hill. Soon after that John Shortt came accross (with a resurgent Jim Maguire) and we now had three riders out of the 5-man break. Across the last draggy bits and we were down to 4 with only Seamus Haughney left to worry about. We had a gap but not so much that we could stop riding! at this stage most of the hard pulls being done by myself & Seamus while Anto recovered. I did think Anto was spent and wasn't sure what condition John Shortt was in. I didn't have to wonder for long!!!. As we crested the last little hill John & Anto took a flyer. I jumped on Seamus's wheel in the vain chance (hope!!!) that he closed the gap as I still felt quite strong. My teamates kept it going to the line and all that was left for me was to round the hard working Haughney to ensure a Swords 1-2-3 !!! A great day for Swords and a well deserved win for Anto !!!!!

Liam Maguire

Club Road Race C/ship, Boot Inn. July 23rd 2003
Report from Hugh Byrne
After a last minute venue change our Club C/ship Road Race was switched to the Boot Inn. Traditionally we run this race as a Mass Start (no h/caps) and it's held on a flat course to give as many riders as possible a sporting chance. But so much for tradition, as tradionally it also incorporates a semi-neutralised few miles to give the lesser mortals a chance to get into the swing of things. But so much for tradition as there was an attack from the line by Jason Kelly & Brendan Conway, which was spotted by John Shortt as he rolled accross the startline. Six laps of a 5 mile circuit to go and the lads were soon finding which direction was blowing as they tried to stay clear. The Boot always presents a problem for would be escapees when there is a wind blowing, as the open to the elements triangular circuit means that you will have a tailwind, a crosswind and a headwind on the different sections. Anyway the three lads soon found out all about that but managed to stay clear (or were left out to fry??) for two laps. Speeds down the runway section were in excess of 35mph and sure to be star of the future, young Niall Rock was hanging in there. Def not a night for restricted gears!!! (but I think Mick had given him a bigger block for the night). A break involving Sean Lally, Jason Kelly and super time trialer Brian Crinion went clear on the third lap and after a while were joined by Jason Ludgate. Probably too windy for any break to succeed and it was all back together for the last lap. A bit of a 'freewheeling session' coming up to the last corner and beginning to look like a bunch sprint but Brian Crinion attacked out of that corner and soon had those big gears rolling. This was countered by Jason Kelly & John Shortt who had their work cut out for them to get back on terms. John was first to close it and this forced him to lead out the sprint. Jason tried to come around him about 100 yards out and they were shoulder to shoulder from there with John using all his experience to throw his bike at the line to win by inches. So now ex Irish International and former Tour of Ireland winner, John has the Swords Road Race Chamionship to add to his extensive palmares !!!!

	A thrilling finish with John Shortt just edging out Jason <Link to photos by Dave Blake >

Boot Inn (6 laps)Result:(Average speed 38.9kph) 1st John Shortt; 2nd Jason Kelly @ s.t; 3rd Brian Crinion @ 2 sec ; 4th Jason Ludgate @ 8 sec; 5th Gearoid Loughnane @ 9 sec; 6th Anthony Rock @ s.t; 7th Sean Lally @ s.t; 8th Gerry Martin @ s.t.;  9th Alister Cole @ s.t; 10th James Whelan @ s.t.
Ladies Race (4 laps) : 1st Grace McNally; 2nd Emma Quirke; 3rd Coleen Foley; 4th Bernie McNally; 5th Caroline Mooney, 6th Breda McNally

Hugh Byrne

The racing season - so far. May 31st 2003
Plenty of Swords Jerseys on view in the early season with Sean & Keith featuring well. Indeed all our riders have been prominent in the combined V/J/S3 races culminating with Mick Rock taking a bronze in the Leinster RR C/ships and the Vets Team with Sean & Anto. Niall added to his collection with the U14 bronze and Jason Ludgate took the Gold with a magnificent display in the C Race and followed this up with 2nd in our own Kathleen O'Sullivan Memorial Race.

At U/age Sean overcame his recent run of bad luck to take his first win of the season at U16 in Mullingar, when he escaped from the bunch and put 2 minutes into them on the last lap.

Our tri-athletes have some great results (apart from dominating in our C lub League Time Trials!!!). Brian Crinion had an early season win in the Limerick Duathlon and Caroline after having a go and winning at an open race in Stamullen, who continued to dominate the female Tri -scene with wins in the Limerick & Joey Hannon Triathlons. Indeed in Limerick only two males finished in front of her !!!!!! . Her latest outing was representing Ireland in the U23 Four Country C/ships in Derry on the 24th May. She was entered in the U23 event but her time was good enough to take both the U23 and Overall Ladies titles.

Plenty of results in the IVCA races where we have placed first & second on three occasions starting with some good teamwork from Sean & Anto. Mick Rock has been outstanding all season , twice posting 'fastest on the night' times in IVCA TT's and getting a win on the Road at the Boot Inn. Fred looked like he was going to take the Vets league by storm, with back to back wins after working hard on his sprint (and after much advise from Sean!!!), until he took a bad spill in a Swords league race when his chain hopped off and jammed. He's well on the mend but joins a broken collar bone 'support club' of Roger Tegart & Colm Stafford who also took spills recently. Special mention to Liam Maguire, rarely out of the top three, got the win last wed week after bursting clear into the wind with Paddy Griffen taking sprint from the chasers. And a fine win for Sean Lally in the biggest, craziest bunch sprint I have ever experienced last tuesday in Ashbourne!!!!!!! Also well done to Swords 'adoptee' Aidan Hammond for his fine Overall Victory in theCorkman3-Day!!!!

Hugh Byrne

Ashbourne CP- Freds first Win!! April 6th 2003
Report from Fred Harte
The second race of the IVCA 2003 Sunday League was held on 6th April. A seven group CP, it started in Ashbourne and took in Rathfeigh, Obertstown Cross, Ratoath, and Curraha for three laps, covering a distance of 77.3 Km.
In the days preceding the race I knew that I was likely to do well since I had enjoyed a good ride in the DMS the week before. While the results of a CP are influenced by handicaps, it is up to everyone in each group to ride hard, and I was prepared to do that. So I went to bed early the night before, and made sure I had a good breakfast with plenty of liquid the next morning.
On the Sunday, although most of Ireland enjoyed a super sunny day, the east coast was foggy and cold. This was to prove almost disastrous for me as I find it too dangerous to ride in a bunch when my glasses are continually misting up; I am unable to judge the distances to wheels, and my confidence generally as to safety is undermined. Within the first kilometre I was on the brink of sitting up and abandoning the race. However, by the time we got to Rathfeigh I noticed that the mist was not as thick, and I soon entered proper race mode.
The strategy for winning a CP is simple: every member of the group should cooperate in order to maximise the speed of the group so that there is the best chance of catching groups in front, and staying away from those following. Only when a group is ahead and is unlikely to be caught should the tactics approach those of a DMS. "Cooperate" here means: following the wheel in front, going through, doing a turn, then pulling over. Those who are not so strong on the day should still do what they can, while the supermen should ease back a bit - they will get the opportunity to display their form towards the latter part of the race.
I was in Group 3, which was let off four minutes behind Group 2, and eight behind Limit. From the off it was apparent that our group was completely disorganised, and the strategy described above didnt enter the minds of most. There were some powerful repeated efforts at the front by Martin Doyle who did a disproportionate amount of work over the first two laps. Martin was one of the strongest in the group, and his contribution helped to keep the speed respectable, but he paid for this in the end. Paul Deans also was showing good form and enthusiasm, yet his sharpness at the finish must have been blunted by some attacks that didnt have much chance of success. I was concerned that we were not going to overhaul the groups ahead, but I refused to waste energy by closing gaps left by others. I even considered staying at the back and waiting for the group behind who I felt sure were going to get up to us. In the event, this did not happen. I noted Ron O'Rourke in our group as well. He has a good gallop if he can get to the sprint, and I was glad that I had fitted scud-proof spokes for this race!!
At the end of the second lap we came upon the first two groups which had by then coalesced potentially into what I term the Klingon Empire. Well, that was good: we were first on the road now, and all we had to do was to stay ahead of chasing groups and ride the Klingon Empire off over the last lap. The Emperor himself this time seemed to be Des Muldoon who was the only one who showed any interest in being towards the front. The colour of our group was green while that of the Emperor was blue. I found the sight of that "foreign" colour so obnoxious that I was determined that this was one race that Des was not going to win. This negative approach soon evaporated when John Duffy, of our group, began driving at the front for long periods. John is a remarkable guy and was probably the strongest of us all. He suffers from an ailment that gives him pain and almost sleepless nights, yet there he was on the last lap doing what Martin did on the first two; he told me after the race that he felt the speed needed to be increased. Thank you John! On drags, John stood up on his pedals and pressed even harder. When sitting down again on his saddle he demonstrated a disconcerting technique: one assumed that his speed would remain constant from that point. But it didnt; as he sank down, apparently relaxing again, he scooted off. Every time he did this I was forced to sprint to make up six or seven meters. I wonder did others also curse him for this. Given that John was prepared to stay in this position with nobody willing to come past him, I just tucked in behind him, and waited.
The finish is on the long straight coming into Ratoath. As we came towards it during the first two laps I had spotted a gate that was 140 meters from the line. I decided that on the run-in I would start sprinting when the gate was still about 30 to 40 meters ahead. This would involve a 12 second effort at an average speed of 53kph which I knew was achievable since I had reached 56kph in practise earlier in the week. John Duffy was still toiling away at the front with 400 meters to go. He slowed up quite a lot as showtime approached, and I was forced to come around him thereby hitting the front. This was the time to keep the head; I kept going at three-quarter speed, slow enough to stay relaxed, fast enough to prevent the rest from getting a surprise start. Then, already in the 52:13 when I came to my mark, I jumped. A wheel appeared to my right, and another one to the right of that. Both faded out of view perhaps 50 meters from the line, and I then entered that peculiar world of an impending win where the line is coming up fast in tranquillity and silence; no other cyclist is to be seen: the only movement is that of a flag being gently waved. It is like an effort during a training spin; yet a race is in the process of being won.
Was I pleased? Certainly, opportunities are rare, and they have to be grabbed when they come. Was I the strongest? Probably not, but I may have been the cutest hoor that day.

Fred Harte

Season Launch : Press Statement March 27th 2003
Launch of McNally Swords Programme 2003
A large gathering of cyclists from North County Dublin, members of their families and friends, together with representatives of the local community assembled in the Swords Manor Pub on Thursday 27th March for the launch of the 2003 Programme for the McNally Swords Cycling Club.
The Honorary President of the Club, resplendent in his Presidential Green Blazer with its unique crest, opened the proceedings in his usual inimitable style. Songster, storyteller, raconteur, he treated the crowd present with many humorous anecdotes while welcoming his many loyal followers and admirers to the evening's programme.
The Launch is always a much anticipated occasion when the Chairperson of the club outlines to the Club Members and all present the programme for the coming year and pays tribute to the Club's generous sponsors, Breda and Joe McNally of McNally Joinery.
Before the Chairperson spoke, Michael Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Fingal County Council addressed the gathering, commending them not only for their achievements and endeavours on behalf of Swords Cycling Club, but also for their commitment and plans for the youth of Swords and surrounding area in the months and years ahead.
In recent years one cannot but help note the fashion and grandeur of the apparel worn on the evening by those present. This may well be due to the fact that for the most of the year these men and women meet when dressed in their colourful and resplendent cycling outfits supplied by McNally Joinery, so when they shed these cycling outfits to meet on other occasions they are anxious to show off what is beneath to the very best advantage!
One need look no further in this regard than at the very popular Chairperson of the Club, Sean Lally. Sean is one of Ireland\rquote s most famous cyclists, still cycling fast and furious at the notable age of 76, even though he only looks 65!. Sean was the most sartorially elegant amongst the men, wearing a stream lined black dress suit, complete with old style collar-less shirt bequeathed to him, he tells us, by his great-grand father. And of course the women were not to be out-done. When one glanced (not so fleetingly) at Sean's wife Pauline, and the other representatives of feminine pulchritude such as Tess and Betty Markham, Breda McNally, Louise Stafford, Valerie Coonagh and Karen Rock it was difficult to avert one's eye(s) from backless and strap-less dresses, mini-skirts revealing tanned and well-toned thighs, slender ankles in elegant high heeled shoes, and plunging necklines adorned with more jewellery than you would see on a tinker's pony at the Galway Races!
Once Sean opened his mouth there was an instant silence as all present listened to his dulcet Dub lin tones waft through the pub as he announced with glee the many ambitious projects for the coming year. Among these were the Gorey Three Day Stage Race at Gorey, a gruelling encounter for all ambitious enough to tackle it, when much will be expected of Gearoid Loughlane and the betting will be on Keith Daly for the Junior Event.
On Tuesday 6th May the Kathleen O'Sullivan Memorial Race will take place when a large turn out is expected to take part in this event, which is a tribute to the memory of Kathleen, whose kind disposition and generous nature permeated the club for so many years.
Then there is the McNally Swords Tour for the Club\rquote s own members and their many friends throughout the country which departs from Fingallian's Football Club at 9.00 a.m.. Ken Brennan is the inspiration behind this event and it is he that arranges all tours for the club. He told us that night that there will be two distances cycled on this tour 80 miles for the fit, the challenged, and the ambitious which Ken himself will lead, and the 50 mile for those less ambitious or more realistic of their inabilities - Tommy Markham will encourage this group to wait for him and go at a more leisurely pace, taking in the breathtaking scenery of North County Dublin and its 'Royal' neighbour, County Meath.
Sean Lally, before he concluded his scintillating and humourus address asked us to give every encouragement to Keith Daly when he would be participating in the Junior Tour of Ireland in August. And of course there is the Club's Annual League which commences on 16th April , the most successful and sought after league in the Irish Cycling Calendar, embracing cyclists of all ages and abilities.
Sean concluded his address by reminding all present that although the season is only 1 month old, 9 of our members have already won in open races in the Leinster Circuit, including Vets, Junior and Under Age Cyclists. He than paid fulsome tribute to the Club Sponsors, Joe and Breda McNally for their ongoing generous sponsorship of the club, and invited Joe to end the formal proceedings. Joe them spoke ,splendidly attired in a Beige Sportscoat, matching waist-coat, and Dicky-Bow, and paid tribute to all members for their achievements. He said he was pleased to see so many of our members on a regular basis wear the club colours with pride, and it is a source of great pride to him and Breda that Swords Cycling Club continues to enjoy such prestige among cyclists and among all sectors of the community in Swords and Fingal. With the formalities over, the chat, stories, song, and recitations commenced, and vocal cords were well oiled with a combination of wine and other palatable beverages. Incidentally there is no truth in the rumour that a Mr. K.B. and T.M. were last seen off the premises to the accompaniment of the Dawn Chorus.

Terry Quinlan, Press Officer

Settimana March 26th 2003
Insights from Brian Kelly
Hi yous guys.............(just kidding Hugh)
I am in Italy where Pantani has reared his bald head again in his first race back since all the palava. Today was a double stage in the morning we had a crit for 78kms and then in the afternoon where we had a Team Time Trial which lasted a whopping 8kms won by Lampre and then Saeco in second spot. Fakta were 15th out of 20 teams. The weather is great here, 19 degrees today and it is like this all week. Tomorrow is a 233kms epic finishing in Modena and I bet it will be hairy with a few steep climbs and knowing Italy, plenty of speed.... I have put 23 sprockets on for tomorrow as there is a steep finish. I'll keep you posted
Ciao B

Roundup:Good evening to all you "can't wait for the bright evenings to come brigade". I hope you are all fit and virus free. I am on a little break from active duty at the moment and enoying every minute of it. I finished last Sunday in Sassoulo in the district of Bologna in Italy where we finished the Settimana Coppi Bartali 5-day. It was very hilly bar one day and the boys did ok. 2 of them had just came out of Paris-Nice, one with bruised ribs the other with a very tired body. The race was very fast in spots and the mountains came in there dozens to greet the lads of the groupetto everyday bar one which was flat if you call the steep side of Howth in different villages over 160kms flat, then there u are "welcome to Italy". Basically 2 riders didn't finish. One crashed and the other is way out of shape. The guy who crashed was Michael Reihs who I worked with before in Phonak. He is 23 and still looking to get a big win to start earning some decent money and a bit of respect from the manager. I had to pick him up of the dirt basically his tyre blew of the rim as he was going into a corner at 100kph which then flipped him onto his left side and basically left him with half his arse and elbow on the roadside. Its hard picking someone up of the ground when they are screaming in pain. Number 1 you are afraid to touch some burned part of the body and number 2 he basicaly wants to be left alone to gather his pride back. Michael is a gem though and one day he is going to make it because he has great speed and determination and he is not afraid of hard work, but at the moment luck is not on his side and he has a shit contract, his morale is down the toilet and the manager really doesn't care about him because he doesnt really have to because thats the real life of being a pro. It's the same in all jobs though you dont produce you dont receive much and if he was top dog he would be pampered but he has to wait his turn and start to impress a few people. This is when you make it I think you can look back and say I want to stay on top and I am not going back to those days.
It was good to see Pantani again. He has gained a bit of weight and he still has that godly pedaling power on a climb. He was 2nd on the last stage and he was up overall. Fakta have been invited to do the Giro for this year which is good news for the lads as they can show what they can do in a 3 week stage race. It also might get Fakta a new sponsor which could give us a real boost. I don't know if I am doing the race. I hope no. to be honest, as the other two mechanics on the team would really drive me up the wall for 3 weeks but if there were two others doing it I would go for sure. I go back to Holland for the 11th and we do a handful of races there so talk to you later congrats to all the boys in the Leinster Champs who did swords proud. Sean will you take Mick Rock up to Howth, in the name of God, and show him Gaybos house.
ciao b

Eric Breukink 3-Day March 14th 2003
Insights from Brian Kelly
Guten Tag to all. First of all to my mother trying to reach me on my mobile, it doesnt work here in Holland for some reason? Got your SMS but no joy to reply?? The race is hard here, the organisation is terrible. They give us a plan of the distance of the race stages and then they add 15 kms to it just like??? that, so yesterday was planned for 200kms and 30kms was added to the race the same today!! Even the hills on the profile were all wrong. The distance of the hill was short of the length and it screws up things a little bit. The broom wagon today had 25 riders in front of it and it just drove past them and left them to plot their own way to the finish??? Pretty scary when they have taken down the arrows directing you to the finish and you still have 100 kms to the finish???????? Any way Fakta are 2 men less going into tomorrows stage and the chances of a stage win are slim. Magnus Backstead got me to put a 55 ring on his bike tonight which is a good sign as he loves to time trial. He told me tonight, when he was a junior on the national team he had 182.5 mm cranks with 58*53 rings on and a 11 on the back. When he rode the worlds, they only finished 4th. the germans won. It was 100kms, his heart rate was at 187 average for the whole 100kms (his max is 197). he came into the stadium track finish and he said he saw stars and collapsed and had to be saved with oxygen. The team had 2 discs on their bikes and at the end of the race the wheels were so badly damaged from them riding so close to each other in the lineout that they had to trash them>>>>>>>> now that's fast. They were touching 100kms per hour on the downhills in a tunnel??? Swedes tall and fast..... Tomorrow is a individual TT 16kms. I have 3 sets of aero bars for 8 riders, 2 rear discs wheels and no TT bikes... Well I'm glad we are not winning overall? Have a good weekend wherever you race B

Day 2: What great weather we are having here in Holland, 11 degrees everyday, sun, not a cloud in the sky. Yesterday was no different for the 18kms TT. Good conditions and a pretty difficult circuit with a bit of pave thrown in. The best performance from Fakta was by Magnus Backstead who placed 8th it was a good performance. Overall the team were bad there were a lot of moves during the race and only 2 guys Michael Reihs and Thomas Gronqvuist were able to get into them, then when the real moves happened they all missed it. Most of the guys here were admittingly injured before and have had very little racing but Erik Dekker has done 1 race before this one he has had knee problems since the start of the year?? He used his experience to his benefit and came good for the TT .Now he has 100 UCI points to his credit. One of the riders on our team a new signing Bjarke Nielsen who was with CSC last year has no bike from the team as yet??He was told oneweek before the race to arrive with his LOOK bike. I also think someone forgot to tell him to number one clean it and number two, maintain it. I'll try to keep the moaning to a minimum!! He arrives the day before the race at 6pm, I have been there for 2 days putting the cottonbuds through the links of the chains so to speak? This clown arrives and says "Hi my name is Bjarke Nielsen! How are you? blah blah my bike doesnt seem to be working the lever is jammed???" Oooook let me look at it? The first thing that I see is the chain has stretched so much that it looks like a bmx chain, the back derailleur is bent in, the front mech is jammed, it basically doesnt move and to top it all off the adjuster for the cable which is situated top left hand side of the downtube is broken and the threaded piece is left in the frame??? The right one is the same. I basically wanted to take the bike and dump it in the recycle bin beside the van,but I decided to do the job to the best of my ability so I hung it up in the truck and put the "USE ONLY IN CASE OF EXTREME EMERGENCY STICKER ON IT". To make a long story short he didnt ride this bike I put him on another guys bike which was way to long on the top for him, reason I gave it to him was if it stretched out his body a bit maybe it could do the same to his brain??Riders are like little kids they arrive with bikes 6pm after you have put in 12 hours preparing that day and 'oh by the way can you sort this out for me im of for me massage????' So basically if they arrive on a dirty bike they ride on it the next day and if its broken and its your bike take it to a bike shop and the manager has told us its ok with him, I mean I cant understand guys coming to work after all he gets paid to ride, and basically their not prepared, so I take out of this is I am not interested in this race and I dont care,well bjarke me old flower guess what i care,but i dont care about your LOOK bike so enjoy this new found stretched out bike for a bit until your new bike arrives. Anyway the next race is in Belgium Nokara-Nokara the I collect some bikes from the mech who did paris nice and I go to France for the GP Cholet which is on Sunday. I hope the weather is good where ever you are because its great here. Laters B

West Vlanderen 3-Day March 26th 2003
Insights from Brian Kelly
Hi Sports Fans,
Today we are in Belgium, a place called Roesslare. yesterday was the first day, a 8km TT which was won by none other than David Millar. 2nd place went to Baden Cooke, then 3rd was Michael Rogers. Best placed Fakta rider was high tower himself, Magnus Backstead in 15th place, Scanlon was in the first 20, Ciaran Power is here also getting back into it after his knee problem. Today I stay in the hotel today, they have all just left . 160kms is the stage today, - great I can finally get my haircut and then back to the truck for some work. The rest of the team are doing Paris-Nice. Julian Winn got a start in it so you can check it out on Eurosport tomorrow. After this we go to Erik Breukink which starts Thursday. I stay in Holland before the race probably building tt bikes if they arrive??????
Good Luck this weekend to all. B.

Stage 1: Jimmy Casper of Francais de Jeux was the victor today here in Belgium. I wasn't on the race but I believe 15 riders got away and held a gap to the finish. Fakta were bad today. Magnus was in the overall contention and he tried to get across to the group but there was no help from the team. He was pretty pissed off about it as he was half way down the field when the move went{stay closer to the front I hear you all say}. Normally if you have someone in contention for the overall a move goes a few of the guys lost stacks of time yesterday. They should have used there inititiave and drove it at the front, all the dangermen were to the fore. Jan Kirrsipu has the jersey going into tomorrows final stage. Scott Sunderlands bad luck continued yesterday when he lost his bottle going into a corner and nearly came off. He went the wrong way to avoid going into the corner. He is still fragile after his crash in Italy and has lost his confidence. Today he got dropped as he has no speed in his legs and packed.

Final Stage :Greetings, the final day of West Vlanderen was won by Jan Kirrsipu and the overall too. Fakta all did crap, and Imean crap! They all missed the move and 3 of them were in the chasing group which was at 47 seconds for a good 50kms. The race was very fast from the start and with the usual cobble sections, crosswinds ,and every Belgian in the world trying to win on home turf. One of the TV cars was trying to cut off our car in the race, he kept just overtaking and cutting in, so Peter Meinard, our d.sportif , flicked out to the left excelerated in front of him stopped the car, jumped out of the car and ran at the door of the tv car shouting words like "Excuse me old boy would you mind not flicking us like that as you are being frightfully dangerous and being a right pain in the backside now clear off or ill give you a bunch of fives"?????? Belgians man they are really out there!!! Peter is 6 ft 4, a really tame man and that is the first time I have seen him lose it. I was kind of in shock whilst looking on at him tear strips out of this belgian twatttt. We all went our seperate ways at the end of the race, there is no post mortem at the end of the races or lets have a team bitch about the swine who tried to slam me into a parked car while smiling for the belgian paparazzi! No its more like a scene from Ben Hur .'Right goodbye see you next week what race are you doing next?' eeeeh o the cars going see ya boom all gone and on their merry ways. I am in the hotel in Eindhoven at present milking the free internet that is in this absolutely gigantic hotel which seems like you can walk in it for hours. The GP Breukink starts here on Friday, finishing on Sunday. I will try to keep a record of each stage. I might be up to my tonsils in it as they have no second mechanic to accompany me. Till Friday Ciao B.

G.P.Lugano, & G.P.Chiasso, Switzerland. March 2003
Insights from Brian Kelly
Good day to you all. I hope you racing cyclists who may have participated in the weekend chariot race at Navan have recovered barring any crashes, shortness of breath, hypathermia or the ongoing question in many cyclists minds at this time of year "why in the name of jaysus am i signing up for this shit again?". Moving right along to the weekend over in this neck of the woods Fakta participated in Belgium and Switzerland, me doing Switzerland not because im camera shy but the hotel was only 2 hours drive away and I dont like Belgium too much (went there last year and saw the greatest criterium ever if you were Italian), anyway most of the teams stayed in Italy 20 kms from the Swiss border for the trucks benefit and the budget of the team. When you enter Switzerland from the E.U. you have to pay tax for the equipment in the vehicle, depending on who's doing the shift at the border you have to have all the material on a documented book which in french is called a "carnatear", If you dont have this they can make your life very difficult and mechanics who have driven the 5 to 6 hours to the border dont like to fill out forms and have a german border patrol little hitler try to search the truck hoping that you are related to Willy Voet!! So they stay in Italy the truck stays at the hotel and all the small vehicules go to the race. I got hotel detail saturday as the other mechanic would be taking the truck back to Belgium so he could pack it up on Sunday at the finish in Lugano. Saturday in a nutshell was me cleaning out our truck and washing it and servicing all the wheels in it also washing them and changing tyres.We are having a few problems with punctures in the races at the minute and basically its because the rim strips on the wheels are not wide enough. Frank Hoj punctured 5 times in two days at the Tour of Rhodes. I'd say he was best pleased? The other team in our hotel was Boulangere, the former team Bonjour. Their mechanic at the hotel is in his 60's and he asked me where Iwas from I said Ireland his eyes lit up. Aaaaaah I was mechanic for SEAN he said with KAS we did the Nissan. Every time I meet a mechanic who worked on a team with Sean Kelly, they all have the same thing to say about him, and they all must have jumped over each other to do the Nissan. I always ask them what was he like? Was he aggressive, an arsehole, moany etc. like some pros can be? They all have the same thing to say and they say it with the upmost respect for the man. "No sean was a professional never any problems he would come to the truck. Can u just check that for me, put those wheels on that cassette and away he would go."

Well the GP Chiasso was won by fFgueras from Liquigas. second was Celestino and third was Palumbo. Rene Jorgensen from our team was 12th and the rest Idont know. Judging by the bikes it was a hard day and also by the looks in their eyes when they arrived! By dinner they were back to normal. Sunday morning we were up at 6.30am. I was rooming with the Danish soigneur Carsten. He asked me what time was I waking up at. I said 6.15am - "aaaah good he said ill wake up at 7.00am so because the riders wake up at 8am????" So the next morning my phone alarm goes off at 6.15am. I was wide awake so I let it ring for a minute or so, he wakes up looks over (the light was off) and then puts his head down. I hit the snooze button, 6.30 it goes off again, he looks over again . I let it ring for 2 minutes this time then hit the snooze button and turn on the light in the room. He bounces up I stay stretched out he goes in has his shower comes out "you said you were waking up at 6.15am Briiian", - thats right said I, waking up not getting up!! So he had a pissed off look on his face grabs his breakfast box for the riders and bangs out the door. I get up, dress and go in 5 minutes.you see the moral of this story is the soigneur is supposed to get up before the cock hammers out "cock a doodle doo" and the soigneurs in our team have a problem with getting up early so I play a game of guess with them for what time I am getting up at, I just say i will wake up a little earlier and let them hear my new song on my alarm phone. he had a big grumpy head on him till about 9.00am and then he was ok,

Anyway the race GP Lugano, it set of left turn and then a hill straight away for about 2 miles, not so steep, grave yard side of Howth kind of thing. Then it was easy pace for the hill then it went down and a long straight for 10 kms 2 guys got up the road. One Fakta, Arvesen was there, then after 10 kms on there own, 15 heads came across and buried it for a lap( Oh it was 21 kms per lap and 8 laps)..2nd time up the hill Gerolsteiner went to the front of the peleton, Rebellin setting the pace and it was back in no time. Then 15 guys got away and by the 3rd last lap had 8 minutes. We had 2 men in the break, Kurt Arvesn and former Ras winner, Julian Winn. They rode well. julian had the 2 way radio on which was good for us in the car because the commisaires radio jacked up so time checks were gone and if one of them punctures you want to know straight away. laps to go Kurt goes for the King of the Hills competition and jumps away and when he goes over the top he puts the head down. They get him back, or to be precise leave him at his 15 seconds, reel him after 7 kms and then they are starting the last lap. There is one climb right after the finish and there is another at about 10 kms or so from the finish it is like Tullyesker, Julian goes south half way up the first climb through total i think "its my first big break away this year lets show them i can move scenario". He just blows. Nothing else to do but finish we move up to the group and there are 3 others stranded also, that leaves 11, 2 attacks up the hill from the Domenica rider and its down to 10 they bang into the finish we are deviated at the 2 km mark. First place was David Moncoutie, second was Kolobnev and third was Gryshenko. Kurt Arvesen was fourth that was it basically. I feel Kurt should have went for the win instead of the k.o.h. but thats life. he was with them all the way to the finish and I reckon his little effort 2 laps before took it out of him. I'll end this note on congratulating Liverpool for there super victory over, oh I' m sorry I forget who the other team was, its not important anyway ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!! 7th Worhington Cup I do believe. Stevie Gerard hammered in a missile and the boywonder did what he does best bangs them in from any angle!!!!
Cioa for now B

Haribo & Haut Var March 2003
Insights from Brian Kelly
Hello to all, last week was a great week for AG2R as they won Haribo Classic and it was Kirrsipu's 100th win as a pro(never won a stage in the gorey though??). Fakta were there for the kill but they are still lacking the killer punch. I spoke with Mark Scanlon before the start the day before in Haut Var. He was under instructions to get to the feed zone and look after himself from there in. It was a hilly race and he feels he needs to lose 5 kgs to get into proper shape to compete at full gas (jaysus help them when he does!). The south of France is a beautiful region. The sun was shining and it was freezing but the food is good and the rooms are warm, so no complaints there. Fakta were given 2 new camping cars for the year. We picked them up the day before the race, and after Haut Var we had 200kms to drive to Rimes, so our French soigneur decided it would be nice to get a massive scratch up the side of it and make us wait for 20 mins with some black pissed off French dude who wanted to tear him a new asshole as he took his mirror clean of it's hinges. Kim Andersen came along (our manager) and donataed the guy 100 euros for the inconvenience, but our soigneur swore to Kim that it wasn't his fault. Tough shit. Stepfan, I was behind you dude.... it was your fault ok? If you know any French people, they never admit of being in the wrong? Well we got to the hotel at 8pm and we cleaned the bikes, controled them 8 in all, and washed the reserve bikes and the race car in 1 and a half hours. Arrived for dinner and the menu of the day was chicken and chips, not a great end to a hard days graft but its basically get it into you go to sleep for the next days start. The start was pretty fast in Haribo and they took of in the gutter trying to soften up the boys who got their ass kicked the day before,.... and it worked!! Bodies everywhere. Pros have a great knack of going out the back early but on a descent they will give it all and get back on.the race was pretty much a group got away early and then basically got caught with 70 kms to go. Then Lotto went to the front and drilled it for McEwen. They did a super job too right up until he punctureed with 3kms to go as they were touching 70 kms per hour. Needless to say the Domo boys were pissed as Iwas going by in the car one of them hit the handlebars a few whacks in anger. Scanlon finished 5 minutes in arrears, but he had done his work for his sprinter and they deservedly won the race. Haribo sponsers the race and every member of a team on the race gets 2 big boxes of sweets to bring home to the loved ones. That was the race in a nutshell. This weekend I go to Lugano in Switzerland for 2 races. It's nice because its only 2 hours drive from my apartment. Get home in nice time to enjoy the following week. Then I go to Belgium for a 3 day race.
Talk to you soon B

Tour de Langkawi January 29th to February 7th 2003
Insights from Brian Kelly
Stage 1: Greetings to all from malaysia time trial kicked off today then we were whisked of by boat to the mainland. One of our riders,Lars Bak, was in the top 20. Tomorrow is 140 kms, not so hilly but there is alot of guns rearing to go, well the prize money is 300,000 U.S dollars so its going to be fast. All is good in the team the riders are all in good spirits the weather is in the 30's. All the equipment at this moment is on its way to the hotel here and 2 Malaysians guys are bringing it here it is expected to arrive by midnight so I am down to my last nail???. There is a lot of transfers and this pisses of the riders but the organisers are trying to get as much money into it as possible so thats the way it is. I will keep you posted on the stages when I get a chance have been working flat out since I went to the presentation last week no rest for the wicked hope you are all well and getting ready for your season best. Regards B.

Stage 8/9: Good day sports fans or good morning whichever time scale you are on. Today is the last stage of the Tour de Langkawi. Yesterdays stage was the feared stage to the mountain top of Ghenting Highlands which in the lst 5 kms you are in a 25 sprocket???? Fakta were represented in the last 10 kms. One of our riders Rene Jorgensen was in the group with the yellow jersey and then the shit hit the fan as Roland Greene, the mountain biker from Canada attacked after Munoz of Selle Italia. Then the bodys started to scatter all over the place. Julian Winn who was in the top 20 lost 30 minutes on the climb and finished with Tommy Evans. Overall the young stud from Silkebourg Denmark "Lars Bak" was the most impressive he rode well all week and 3 days ago was caught with 1 km to go with 3 others, he is one to watch for the future and at the tender age of 22 his teammates like winding him up with SMSs from a mysterious woman in Malaysia who wants to meet this 6 ft 5 blone haired chick magnet and they will come to his room on the last night to show her interest in him???? All in all its been a good race but very tiresome with the temperature in the 35 degree mode lots of transfers Malaysian helpers who 'spreak bery likkle engrish'. The food is good though and the people are friendly. Tomorrow we fly to Frankfurt and then I take a 7 hour train ride to Switzerland. My next race is Leguilla in Italy, then Haribo Classic and Tour de Haut Var in France. The others go to Greece to the Tour of Rhodes(jammy swines). I got flicked for that one, we do 2 races in Switzerland then Paris-Nice. Well u are all going out on your bikes today beware of the ice tomorrow is cancelled swimming pool probably a game of water polo shopping in the city and of course the food???? Till the next time,B.

Stage 10: Sunday was a good day to be a sprinter in Kuala Lumper. Even Pros have Lead out men????, but these two were a little confused on who was going to win. The 2nd place went to graeme Browne of Panaria and 1st place went to Bonjourno of Panaria! I saw the Photo Finish and it was prestty embarrasing as the 3rd place Stu O'Grady was nowhere near them and the two of them had bikes thrown out, elbows out and the like (kind of like the last corner at Balrothery on a summers evening???) Fatka were to the fore again with Lars Bak. He got away with 2 riders. They had a gap of 40 seconds at one point during the crit. One of them punctured and as it was raining and the other was on slicks and couldn't go hard into the corners. This is where I would like to say Vittorias CX work in the wet. The other rider was onMichellins???? Anyway they got caught with 2 laps to go but Lars has earned himself a bit of a reputation in the peleton. Let's hope it goes further. His training this winter, as he informed me, was long 6 to 7 hour rides at low intensity, as in previous years he has done 4 hours at a higher intensity and was dead by about June or so. But it is only the first race for him. The last night in Kuala Lumpur was a good one. The whole of the race landed in the Hard Rock Cafe until the wee hours of the morning. 'No sories from school', but Jaysus fit and all as they are, they can down the lager!! Monday was a 10AM start with packing up all the bikes into the bike bags, wheels -18 pairs incl 2 pairs of lightweights, the Ulrich jobbies. They are reeeely light, you are afraid to clean themas they are so fragile???
Once that was done, we went into the city for some shopping. CD's are priced at 97 cents, DVD's 1.50 Euro, designer watch imitations at 20 Euros,Tee Shirts, designerbags Oakleys , 36 degrees of heat and every person in Chins behind the counter trying to drag you over it to buy something saying 'Happy pwice 4U sir, is Chrinese Nrew Year'. Its about a 2km stretch of stalls, stench of food and sweat,people with limbs missing at ther side of the road with begging bowls, pickpockets, and every time you go by a stall, they are like the traders on Moore St without a licence, the shutters come down a 5x4 ft table is folded into a bag and they are gone in seconds. By the time you have reached the end you are so tired of haggling over a Rolex(for 20 Euro!!), you just want to get on a plane and head home to Europe, but i did have a great time drinking with Stuie O'Grady and Chris Jenner. It's funy listening to them talk about the gallops. O'Grady gave one rider a bollickin' because he would stop to pee and this guy would stop and up to the finish he was edgin' him off Graeme Browns's wheel!!! He said he took it easy for the first 3 days because there were too many guys getting in the way who didn't know how to sprint, and there were too many cowboys switchin' and actin' like Juniors !! He waited till the 5th stage, which he won and then took one more. Now that's class!!!!
Well talk to you soon. I hope the Malaga Chain Gang are buying their Sun Tan creams for Sunday. the girlfriends are being brought again, not like it used to be when we went over........when men were men ......and Sean was the King of Mijas!!!
ASTA LA VISTA BABY , B.

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