Road Racing:

[squeak]

Hi there everybody, just looking at the races going on there. Dont know how big of an interest people have in road racing, have quite an obsession with the big Tours so to speak. They are just thrilling, in the mountains its like watching a penalty shootout for days on end, especially tomorrow in the 2nd or 3rd last stage of the Giro D'italia!! All the front runners in the general classification will be up there giving it socks, give it a peak. Its bloody addictive! Really cant wait for Le Tour De France this year should be pretty amazing. Armstrong, Contador, Valverde, think Basso and Evan will be there too. Should be amazing. The crowds that gather at these races is completely bonkers. I remember when Dave (Barry) and myself were training together all we used to do was talk about the road races when on the Mtb they are very exciting. Regardless of whether you think they are all cheaters or not I dont care its a great sport to watch. Not like us mtbers will ever get the coverage the road races get so why not give them a peep. The Giro is nearly over now so make sure to check out Le Tour. Was at the Giro two years ago with the Irish Team when at mtb World Champs and was the coolest thing I had seen in years. Check out www.cyclingnews.com for all the results and live updates on the races or watch on TG4 or watch the Giro live on Gazzetta Videochat. Google it and you will get the link for the Giro live Video.

Closer to home I am going to be doing a lot more Road Races here. I think they are great for us Mtbers for training and also get to meet other people..CONVERRT THEMMMM! Joke but its not like in a mtb race where you can hardly breadth...you are able to chat with people in the bunch and that. I really do think mtbers should stop being so anti road as we have been for years. I say we because I have been anti road too but dont diss it till youve tried it. I know not everybody doesnt have access to a road bike but give me a shout and I can try hook you up with a test ride or whatever. See what you think. Great for commuting too. I will also be doing the Phoenix Park Duathalon series which is this month. Any enquiries drop a mail. Not positive on the dates but give me a shout and ill find out. The last one started at 7.15 at Popes Cross. 350 people there!!! Great seen and Id love to see some us the Mtbers giving it a go! Another thing is I would like to get a team or a group together to try give the Ras a go next year. Seriously hard stage race here but I would love to do it...love to get a grouop of dedicated riders together to give it a go.

Over and Out for now...Sir Squeak.

[Dave]

Ah following the road scene is good, very exciting to see how a race unfolds over the course of 3 weeks, look at wiggo in the giro, rated as one of the favourites but an unfortunate run of events in the first week ended that. Now with it wrapping up there will be some serious team tactics for evans, sastre, basso, vino etc. should be a good ending. Hoping the tour will go as well, altho be quite difficult for those top names in the giro to be in full form again by tour time. Contador unbelievable (i know you may say drugs, which is s**t) but if 80% of the riders are on it then it is down to hard work and the talent they have, plus alot of road racing is mental as most of the riders are at a very similar level. Exciting stuff but then an mtb event has its appeal too, pure skill and tactics come in nowadays as absalon isnt as head of the riders as he once was, sauser looks like hes on a year off from the gear and schurter and stander are flying, making for exciting results, all being decided in the last lap. Brilliant!

The road should certainly be used for training/racing ryan does it regularly and mel, Ian Bibby is over from england racing the Ras and connor mcconvey(i know hes converted) but fecking savage riding, up into the top5 in the Ras.

[michaelc]

I've only done one proper road race/event and it was by far the most interesting day I've ever had on the bike. Deciding the bunch you're with is too slow and sprinting accross a gap to catch another group etc. It's just like what happens on TV! I think coming from MTB gives you a good advantage in the hills too. I find in an MTB race I'm racing against the course and myself but on the road Im racing against other riders. I will definately be doing a few more road races this summer once I get my mojo back. 

Watching the Giro and the other tours are always good motivation to get out and ride though either the road bike or the MTB.

[squeak]

Basso in pink!!! hummm how will the last Mountain day today will go...Passo Gavia, climbed it myself in 2008, lethal climb, lethal day on the bike for those guys today especially after yesterday! then into the last time trial on the last day. Who will be able to recover for the TT...Evans is said to be the better Trialist but anything could happen! Watch it on Eurosport or online! woo