Once again our resident photographer Damien Jackson and dad to youth academy member Daniel Jackson took some excellent photos which can be found on his website (link below). Thank you kindly Damien.

The link to tonights Carrick League is: http://www.djackson-images.com/Sports/Cycling/Carrick-Junior-League-Week-1/29525566_XTfPfK#!i=2524026132&k=f7Gb2j9

This looks like a good sportive to go to on Sunday if any Comeragh sportive member is interested in going Please text me on 0877415999 and finance and car pool can be organised.

http://www.djackson-images.com/Sports/Cycling/Comeragh-League-Week-2/29455828_GrkVP6#!i=2515965187&k=wpgRJKN

Cathal Moynihan (Rider)

I got involved in competitive cycling in 2011. For the previous 16 years I competed in the sport of rowing. I enjoyed much success during those years winning several National titles and representing Ireland at International Regattas throughout the world. The highlight of my rowing career was finishing 10th at the 2008 Olympic Games held in Beijing, China. In 2010 I decided to step away from rowing and started to seek a new challenge and cycling was it. I entered my first race in Currow, Co. Kerry in 2011 and to my surprise I won it. Since that day I have been hooked. I enjoy getting out training with my friends, but for me nothing beats racing. Bike racing is so unpredictable and no two days are the same. In September 2012, I set myself the goal of competing in the 2013 An Post Rás and since then I have balanced my hectic training schedule with full-time work and personal commitments. So far this season I have achieved some good results including winning Rás Luimní, Cycling Pursuits Cup, and top Kerry rider at Rás Mumhan. This will be my first An Post Rás and it will be a tough eight days for the team and I as we will racing alongside the professional riders over a tough 1200km route. I am looking forward to the challenge and in particular to racing through my home town of Killarney.
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Finbarr Power (Rider)

I have been a member of the Commeragh cycling clubs since its origin. This year I have been racing and preparing for the Ras. Im looking forward to the week of racing and riding with my fellow team mates and club for the week. The Ras has been a personal goal of mine as my dad and brother have previously ridden it. I am delighted to have the opportunity to ride the An Post Ras
2013.

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Thomas Lavery (Rider)

I’m originally from Dublin living in Waterford riding with the Commeragh cycling club since 2009. Im enjoying a good season on the bike with some top 10 finishes. This will be my 3rd Ras having riden it in 2005, 2011 and this year. Im looking forward to riding with Commeragh and representing Waterford for the week. I have an idea what to expect but every year is different and the Ras can be a very unpredictable race. It up a major level on your average Sunday racing. It a great opportunity for the club riders to ride with the pros for the week. I’m looking forward to the week and spending time with the lads on the team.
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Gerry Conlon (Rider)

For 10 years I represented Ireland at European and World Championships for Canoepolo. When I moved to Waterford three years ago I needed a new sport and joined Comeragh CC on advice of a friend in the local triathlon club. I took to cycling like a duck to water. I loved the speed, endurance, isolation and escapism that it provided. But I also loved the Sunday group spins and the opportunity that cycling in a pack gives a blow in like me to meet many new people.I quickly left the triathlon notions behind and focused on racing. Getting out on the bike at every opportunity I even got my wife out on the Weekend spins so that I didn’t have to feel guilty for spending so much time out on the bike! Once I did my first stage race, i knew that was what I wanted to do more of, I started with Kanturk, then set my sights on a good finish in Suir Valley and now have my eyes firmly set on being a “Man of the Ras”. Being a student in WIT has given me a great opportunity to train more and with great support from home, I know that I will achieve my goals.
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Mark Sherman (Rider)

Lifetime athlete in various sporting disciplines discovered bike racing in 2010. I have been fortunate enough to train and compete in many locations including Canada, United States, Europe, South Africa. A typical season of my racing involves challenging events from one day road races to multi day stage races in all no less than 40 days of racing per annum. Team dynamics and camaraderie under pressure are a wonderful aspect to the sport as the individual rarely wins, a solid team effort is what prevails.In addition a team won’t get to the start line, or the finish for that matter without full team support of a Team manager, Director, Mechanic, Massage specialist. The An Phost Ras is a special event for this rider and is an honor to be competing in it for the first time. The Ras is known for its fast pace, challenging climbs and repeated every day for 8 days, it draws the strongest local and international riders.
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Tosh Lavery (Manager)

Ill be managing the team in the Ras for the week. I have previously riden the Ras myself on five occasions the last being in 2000. Im a native of Waterford and have been involved in the cycling game for over 20 years. I have previously managed teams and I’m looking forward to the week with the lads. My two sons are involved in cycling with Philip riding abroad and Thomas racing at home. Waterford have always had a great tradition in cycling, as far back as the Geoff track, and its nice to be associated with the team this year representing the county.

The 2013 Rás is the 61st edition of the race, and this year’s route is designed by cyclist, Stephen O’Sullivan. Stephen is a former stage winner and eighteen year veteran of the event.

The action got underway today Sunday May 19 in Dunboyne, Co. Meath with stage finishes in Longford, Nenagh, Listowel, Glengarriff, Mitchelstown, Carlow, Naas and finishing in Skerries.

Route details

Stage 1, Sunday May 19, Dunboyne – Longford 135.4 km
Stage 2, Monday May 20, Longford – Nenagh 160.4 km
Stage 3, Tuesday May 21, Nenagh – Listowel 141.1 km
Stage 4, Wednesday May 22, Listowel – Glengarriff 153 km
Stage 5, Thursday May 23, Glengarriff – Mitchelstown 150.2 km
Stage 6, Friday May 24, Mitchelstown – Carlow 154.6 km
Stage 7, Saturday May 25, Carlow – Naas 141.2 km
Stage 8, Sunday May 26, Naas – Skerries 144.6 km

Best of luck to the ComeraghCC Ras Team.

Pictured above from bolands are:

John Hickey (Sales Manager)
David ONeill (Sales Executive)
Paddy Hendrick (Sales Executive)
Anthony Mannion (Sales Executive)
John Kelly (Parts)
Gavin Doherty (Services)

Also pictured above are Comeraghcc team members & manager:

Tosh Lavery (Manager)
Thomas Lavery (Team member)
Ger Conlon (Team member)
Finbarr Power (Team member)

Absent:

Mark Sherman (Vancouver, Canada - Team member)
Cathal Moynihan (Killarney - Team member)

David turned the big 40 on Tuesday May 14th, unfortunately the miserable weather conditions meant that David didn’t get to blow out his birthday candles and we never sang happy birthday, so David just for you:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAVID
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!

We had an increase in the number of club racing cyclists this week who have upgraded themselves to participate in the league now that one day licenses are not permitted and the group of 8 or so riders showed the racing section how it is really done. With a 3 minute advantage on the A4 group and a further 2 minutes on the A3/2/1 the 8 or so riders worked really well together and after completing lap 1 they had only lost 1min to the A4 group, by the time they came around for the last lap they had just breached the brow of the climb when the main group came through Carrolls cross. We all thought they had done enough to stay away but the A4/3/2/1 group behind must have kicked started the engines as they crawled back most of the time by the last corner. However the club comp group had done enough to have 3 riders stay clear of the chase and come in approx 10 seconds ahead of the main field, unfortunate for a small group of club comp riders who were caught just coming to the finishline.

Words of wisdom to the club comp riders, this is a training league race, the purpose is for training and to bring you on as a rider, you will only get better in time, each week as you get stronger it will make for great racing behind you as the main field will have to up their game to catch. Time gaps for next week will be the same as week 2 as it worked out pretty good, please see below race results(With one query, again we ask all riders to please wear their club gear and race number so that they can be identified for results)

SRAM SUMMER LEAGUE - ROUND 2 RESULTS

1. ENDA WALSH WATERFORD RACING CLUB
2. DONAL CROKE SPORTIF WATERFORD CC
3. IAN POWER SPORTIF WATERFORD CC
4. SHANE ODONOGUE WATERFORD RACING CLUB
5. PAUDI WALSH COMERAGH CYCLING CLUB
6. DAVID QUIGLEY WATERFORD RACING CLUB
7. SHANE POWER DUNGARVAN CYCLING CLUB
8. KIERAN JACKSON COMERAGH CYCLING CLUB/WATERFORD TRI
9. ? .Rider cannot be identified, he was wearing
a yellow long sleeve jersey, if this is you call
Sinead to confirm on 087-2680088

10. MARTIN OBRIEN COMERAGH CYCLING CLUB (TBC)

This weeks route we will be heading to Mahon Falls at the top of the climb we will split into 2 groups.

• Group 80km can return back to Waterford. Route
• Group 100km can continue the ride up the Mama Rd and return to Waterford once they have reached the summit.Route

Above is a pic of some of the riders who took part in The Tour de Cure last Sunday. All had a great day, most did the 100km and 4 lads went on to ride the 160km (including Brian and Damien on the tandum). One rider didn’t even know he was doing the 160Km he was having too much fun to be looking at road signs :-). Well done John see you Sunday.