2012 Junior Tour of Ireland

International racing is one of the most important steps for junior development not only because of the caliber of the racing, but also for the transition into the next level of the sport.  Without an introduction to this type of racing, the juniors are unable to experience these specific challenges and decide if a professional is within their grasp.  
I have recently returned from the Tour of Ireland, a highly competitive international junior stage race, where I was the director sportif for four Team Specialized Racing Juniors 17-18 year old race category riders.  Not only was this valuable and memorable experience for these racers, but it was equally rewarding for me.  With bags packed and bike boxes filled, we were ready to embrace a week full of the unknown.  Soon we realized that included narrow grass shrouded courses, roaming sheep, unpredictable weather in an Irish summer, and the versatility of potatoes (thank God for Nutella).

The race was impeccably organized and the staff, which comprised entirely of volunteers, made the riders feel world class. The organization put in an effort that was renowned and it far exceeded some stage races with paid employees.  Their passion for cycling and generosity showed how much they wanted this race to succeed.

Not only did I get to introduce a great band of juniors into this next level of racing, I was able to witness the incredible development of some of our Team Specialized Racing juniors not only through the years of my involvement with the team but especially during this event. I have had the opportunity of working with one of the riders, Marcus, for the last six years, and being able to see him enter a highly contested international race and succeed was not only a great achievement of program, but also personally very rewarding.  Each of the riders evolved throughout the race not only as individuals but as a team.

We entered this race with a focus on gaining critical cycling experience as well as the rewards of accomplishment.  Each rider was able to state their personal goals, and we were all able to establish team goals.  Not only did we meet these goals, we matched them, and then succeeded beyond them.

Stage 1—Prologue 7k: Non aero time trial, slightly downhill and downwind. Winning time was 9:20. Jackson 10th (19s). Kyle 14th (23s), Stephen 18th (26s), Marcus 19th(28s). All riders in the top 20 of the 66 starters. There was threatening weather but it never rained.  Morale was high and we were ready to start racing

Stage 2—Westport to Westport 110k: Point to point.Marcus rode aggressively and attentively to establish himself in the winning break in windy conditions.  He placed 2nd on the stage, losing a very close sprint for the win. Even after an unfortunate crash, Stephen fought his way back into the group to finish 11th on the stage, showing a lot of grit and toughness.

Stage 3—Castlebar to Ballycastle 113k: Beautiful route along the Atlantic coast, and the race was hard and fast from the start. Stephen was in an 8 man break for most of the day in order to chase the KOM jersey.  The finish was a 1k sprint uphill on an average gradient of 10%.  Marcus 6th, Kyle 9th, Jackson 13th.  All the riders had same time finishes with the field.

Team meeting and video reconnaissance of the KOMs and finish in Ballycastle. 

Stage 4—Achill Island 98.5k: A barren, remote, blustery seascape with continuous rolling hills and a lot of wind to make the short steep climbs even more painful.  Goal was to keep it together over the last KOM.  The severity of the hill and the crosswinds shattered the field with less than 20k to go.  Stephen found himself in a break with 15k to go, and Marcus and Kyle worked cohesively in order to maintain the team’s GC options.  Stephen had a tremendous effort to finish with a great sprint for 3rd place.  After this stage, the team was 8s off of leading the overall team classification.

Stage 5—Castlebar to Castlebar 88k: Relatively neutral race as most riders were tired and saving their legs for the final stage.  Marcus got 9th in the field sprint.

Stephen, Jackson, Sean (Irish Driver and Racer Support), Kyle, and Marcus ready to roll out .

Stage 6—Windy Gap Road Race 106k: Our goal was to improve in the GC by isolating the GC riders, and to win the stage.  As planned, Marcus was in a threatening break that forced other teams to chase, and it was eventually absorbed.  The final 2k climb determined the race, and when Stephen realized he wasn’t going to get the time necessary to overtake the Young Rider’s jersey, he conserved energy and was able to throw down a massive sprint and win the stage! With all four riders finishing in the top 20 on the stage, they secured the team GC by 1:29.

Overall GC: Steven 4th, Marcus 5th, Kyle 11th, Jackson 21st. 64 finishers. Team Specialized Racing Junior won theoverall team general classification.

Final GC for the 2012 Junior Tour of Ireland

 Leaving Ireland, I could not control the smile on my face for the accomplishments of the week, the friendships developed, and memories gained.  I could not help but be happy because of the race, but also have a little twinge of sadness that I was saying goodbye to such a great experience.  There will be many more.

Bunratty Castle, Shanon, Ireland.  Then a visit to The Original Durty Nelly's of a post race Pub Feed.

Marcus, Stephen, Jackson, and Kyle, you all made me very proud.  Thank you. Also, thank you to everyone on the Irish side for your involvement and making this race happen.

Craig Roemer - Team Specialized Masters