2013 Irish Hill Climb Championships

2nd, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 1st... what's next? Those are my previous results in the Irish Hill Climb National Championships - how would I do in 2013.

As I mentioned earlier, much of August and September was spent racing in Belgium. No training, just race and recover for a month - I loved it. When I got back to Ireland, it resting, then winning the Irish MTB Marathon title followed by more recovery for the final race of my season - attempting to defend the Hill Climb title I won in 2012.

The first time I won the Championship it was actually held on the same climb in Kerry - Short Mountain. Basically the climb was about 1.9km at 7.5%, 900m at 3% with the final 1.2km around 12% with some steep pitches. Like in 2010, rain and a block headwind getting worse as you climbed where the order of the day.

I went through my normal warmup (rollers, about 30 minutes) and got to the line perfectly on time. My pacing plan was pretty simple - get up to speed, then back way back off on power until I see a rolling average around 445-455W. Keep at that for the first few minutes. Then on the 'flat bit', try to keep the power up (not tracking numbers, just making sure I don't go too hard or too easy). 1.2k to go (you hit that ramp), all out to the finish. Last 5 minutes was close to 500w so I paced it very well considering the conditions and gradient. It was a lot windier at the top, a lot steep so it made sense to 'spend' your energy there.

Last off - photo, Karen Edwards

I finished 2nd... by .7 of a second to Mark Dowling. .7 of a second equates to about 150-250grams of weight across me or my bike. On the day, I couldn't have done many things better - my problem (the .7 seconds - probably more like giving away 15) was eating too much tasty food in Belgium when I was racing there and after a long season, not being particularly focused on this race (and being lean). I put on a chunk of muscle mass (which helps) in Belgium, but also body fat and didn't lean down enough when I got home.

My final two races of the season, both National Championships, were 1st and then 2nd. Not perfect, but it still a nice way to close out the season.

Now to find a team for next year...

2013 Irish MTB Marathon Championships

[500th blog post - wohoo]

The Irish MTB Marathon Championships – unfortunately last year I was not in the country to try and defend the title I won in 2011 (I was road racing in France) so this year when I returned to Ballyhoura, I was determined to reclaim it.

Before the National Championships, I had been racing Kermesse races in Belgium for a month – no off-roading possible but the explosive nature of the races there carried over pretty well to racing on the mountain bike, the only difference was that, outside of recovery rides, I hadn't trained or raced at a particular intensity for more than a few seconds in weeks – on the long climbs in Ballyhoura it didn't seem to matter. My month in Belgium was basically – Race, Race, Rest, Race, Race, Rest – for a month – that was a good month :)

My race bike for the day - S-Work Epic 29er

2013's race was a little more special than usual as for the first time, biking.ie were running the event which was being used as a dry run for when Ireland host the European MTB Marathon Championships in 2014 on a very similar course (a little longer though).

Once returned from Belgium, the road bike was put away and I went back to learning how to ride a mountain bike – the first session was a little embarrassing – squirrels were holding straighter lines down the descents than me but fortunately, most of the skills returned quickly – a large part I put down to the bike, a 29er full suspension bike – moving back from the road, it felt pretty natural – more so then when I would switch to a 26er from the road.

Race day arrived and we all lined up. British Champion and world class marathon racer, Sally Bigham lined up alongside me – she obviously couldn't become Irish champ, but was using it as a recce for the Euro's next year – great to have her here for the race and she simply smoked the course. It was also great to see AnPost CRC pro rider, Ronan McLoughlin line up in his first MTB race – sources say he will be back for more.

The race itself was pretty straight forward – I felt strong, but was always wary of a) crashing hard and b) having a mechanical – I pushed on pretty hard on the fireroads but took the technical trails reasonably carefully. Throughout the race I was in the front group, and for the second half, off the front so I didn't feel the need to really push it. Three and a half hours later, with a big smile on my face I finished reclaiming the national title.

Almost finished - photo Max Power (taking fantastic pics as always)

I have won this title before but this one means a lot to me as I hope to represent Ireland next year in the Euro Champs on this course (in the National Champions jersey) – it is a course well suited to racing a road season and lies one week before the road race nationals – fingers crossed I'll have some good form for it.

Thanks to biking.ie for putting on a stellar show. The course was fantastic with a good mix between flowy trail center singletrack, natural trails and fireroad. The following morning my body felt like it had been hit by a truck – something I don't get racing road races – means a tough technical race! Also, many thanks to Cycleways, Specialized, Schwalbe, KCNC, NoTubes and Zipvit for the equipment and fueling - I have said it before, but with my bike/fuel setup, I feel like I'm cheating (seriously, go find a demo Epic 29er to ride).

2013 Tour de Singkarak - Part 2

For the first time in a stage race, I had a rest day. For the team, it was a day of resting bodies, a short bike ride (via the beach for a time) and an afternoon releasing turtles into the ocean!

Quick rest day beach trip

Some of the turtles

Stage 6

An aggressive start - for Oscar and I this stage was marked by crashes. Having not had an incident in over a year, I came down twice during the stage - the final crash, at about 50kmph tore my right rotator cuff in my shoulder - I was able to continue and other than out of the saddle has not interfered with my road biking. Unfortunately, five weeks later, it still means I can't ride a mountain bike so for the first time since I started cycling, I'm missing the MTB XC National Championships this weekend.

The legs were great in the final stages of the race though and I was aggressive over the final climbs of the stage getting off the front.

Stage 7

The final day - after a very fast first hour a small break moved off the front with the familiar sight of TPT coming to the front and riding tempo for the remains of the stage protecting their yellow jersey. A frantic finale in Panang saw TPT also win the stage. Oscar finished 5th overall with two podiums while Sergey had a bunch of Top 10 finishes and a 10th overall in GC.

Backdrop for a stage finish (Stage 3) 

Post stage meal! (Stage 3)

Other than coffee, I had not known much about Sumatra before the race. The race organisation brought us through some spectacular scenery providing a safe, challenging race and giving us a great insight into this spectacular area of the world.

2013 Tour de Singkarak - Part 1

It has been a while - but hey, better late then never.

Stage 1

Roller coaster of a day with Oscar taking second on the stage


Stage 2

Damn my luck and "Stage 2s"- diarrhoea or gastroenteritis means sufferage, no energy and losing time on GC - domestique duty it is for the rest of the week.


Stage 3

The first of the big mountain stages - basically 210km, first 100km flat/downhill and then lots of big mountains. My job was to be in any break of consequence - there was none and TPT rode on the front to the start of the climbing. Into the first major climb, Oscar (GC guy and defending champion) missed a break (having gone off about 15km before the big climb on a shorter climb - we had Sergey up there in the break though) so I was tasked to the front to keep the gap manageable for Oscar to bridge across once we hit the big one. After that, we hit the climb, my lights were blown and I went into energy saving mode for the following days. The country is quite simply spectacular and I was glad to be enjoying the scenery (but would much rather to have been fighting for GC).

Stage 4

Legs and body were good and I was determined to be in the breakaway - from the gun it was full gas. Up and down super steep short climbs we fought to get into the move. With about 40 minutes of riding at an average close to 400W (in 36C with humidity), ten of us were gone including teammate Eddie. No GC threats in the move - happy days and 160km of open road left in front of us. Surprisingly, the yellow jersey team, Differdange-Losch pulled us back and immediately a counter that ended up containing 15 riders and 3 GC threats rode away. The yellow jersey team rode themselves into the ground over the rest of the stage but lost their overall lead.

On the attack - photo from Cycling News

Stage 5

Another big mountain day that started straight into a two kilometer climb at 7% (KM 0 was at the base). Oscar was in a fighting move and attacked from the gun. He was gone for the day and eventually finished third behind two TPT motorbikes (they finished eight minutes ahead of him!). Oscar, being Oscar, there was a good chance that our team would be riding on the front in the following days (if he achieved the goal of yellow jersey), so for me, it was mostly a day of riding tempo. The long stretches of 18% climbing and no compact chainset (despite a 28 on the rear) makes it tricky for me at 74kg to stay with the front wippets!

Stage results, photos and stories are available on Cycling News.

2013 Tour de Singkarak - pre race

After coming out of the AnPost Ras in much better shape than I went into it, I had one day to packup and fly to Padang in Indonesia for the UCI 2.2 Tour de Singkarak. Similar to the Ras, it is a stage race ran over eight days (although only seven stages, we have one rest day) - different from the Ras though, it was going to be hot, very very hot!

Recovery ride on arrival in Padang

Outside the city of Padang

Travels went well (four seats free for me to lie on in an Airbus A380) and I arrived in Indonesia feeling good considering the last ten days. I had one extra day to acclimatise before the rest of the team arrived from Surabaya (a few hour flight to Padang) and get used to the dramatic change in climate.

View from the hotel in Bukittinggi

With the team all together, we travelled up to Bukittinggi where the first stage would start. More easy spins and we really got to marvel at this stunning country.

Stopping for a pee :)

Our hotel for the first few nights

The heat was initially a shock to the system, but I hoped it would remember my months in Indonesia already spent before the racing would start.

2013 AnPost Ras Stages 6, 7 and 8

Crazy travel post race means that this was really delayed - at this point, posting more for posterity than anything else!

Stage 6


Stage 7


Stage 8

Well, I don't have a video - as I mention in the video for Stage 7, I felt pretty good - I didn't get away so minded myself really well to the finishing circuits - final climb, three minutes of hurt - coming into the tricky corner into the climb 10-12th wheel and the guy in front of me crashes - DOHHH - these things happen, but I was a bit pissed about it. Anyway - chased and chased (with a few others who where caught out and almost got across to the front 20. 20th on GC in the end, but no real ride/result to note.

The Ras this year for me never really got going, I went into it sick and thought I would have to pull out each day for the first three days - I really was just hanging on and feeling crap - I finished okay though and the racing should help bring on my form for the rest of the season.

2013 AnPost Ras Stages 4 and 5

Stage 4 - some mountains around Kerry


Stage 5 - Cork with wind

2013 AnPost Ras Stage 3

2013 AnPost Ras Stage 2

46kmph average speed on Irish regional roads for 160km...

2013 AnPost Ras Stage 1

2013 Azerbaijan

It was May 2011 and I was in Germany with my wife's family – we were there for a party and the evening after, we had some quiet time – the Eurovision Song Contest was on – I hadn't seen it since I was a kid but the whole family sat around, joked and cheered as we watched Azerbaijan kick our Irish and German butts... Azerbaijan – I had heard of it before, but no idea where it was or knew anything about it.

Almost two years later and I'm boarding a flight from Dubai to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan to race the UCI 2.2 Tour de Azerbaijan – I was excited – I have travelled a lot, but never to this region of the world – I really didn't know what to expect (although Wikipedia did give me a bit of a headsup) and even after the trip, I still find it hard to explain.

Organised group ride equals closed down highway!

Out for a spin, the day before the race

After being picked up at the airport by race officials, we were whisked to our hotel – the driving was crazy, the traffic was mad, but oh my, the city – it looked like Paris... except cleaner... and more expensive. I didn't expect that. Huge buildings, sky scrappers, blue skies, one of the worlds largest flag (next to the building the built to host the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest) – I like it here!

Throughout the race, there was not a single thing I could fault the organization on (well, okay, tell us where to get ice – but that is REALLY nitpicking!) - I didn't see a single crash, a single car on the road (or side of the road) that wasn't part of the race – these guys are doing things right.

Around Baku

My race, well my videos mostly cover that – I arrived with a sore throat after Singapore, one that turned into a cough and sickness for most of our team (I'm sitting here in Dublin with an antibiotics prescription that I'm really hoping I don't have to take – I don't like what it does to your gut health – barely left my bedroom yesterday but feeling a lot better today) – the racing was hard, and looking at the power files afterwards, shows that it was far more difficult than any other stage races I rode this year (or last - stages 1 and 4 in the Philippines are up there though).

The final day, there is no video up. Twelve laps of a twelve kilometer circuit with a tough climb at the start – 1.6km at 7% - first 400m on cobbles Belgium would be proud of. Steep, shallow, steep, shallow – it was tough – twelve times around! I got on fine, and teammate Mark was trucking on the day – making a huge attack on the final lap to escape – it didn't work out and came together for a reduced bunch sprint with Orica Greenedge's Tomas Vaitkus claiming the victory.

Final night feast - yes, it was very very YUM

Azerbaijan was a really great experience for our team and I. Not only did we get to see an incredible country – but the racing was as tough and enjoyable as anything I have done. I hope our team will be able to return and take another shot at it next year (this time, without the addition of Asian bacteria running through our systems).

Around Baku

Around Baku

2013 Tour de Azerbaijan Stage 4

And on Strava

2013 Tour de Azerbaijan Stage 3

2013 Tour de Azerbaijan Stage 1 and 2

Stage 1



Eurosport Highlights of Stage 1

Stage 2

Philippines and back to Indonesia

We are back from the Philippines and resting up before our next block of racing. The Singapore Criterium, Tour of Azerbaijan, possibly an Irish race and then the AnPost Ras.

The Philippines was great, the people were friendly, helpful and the scenery stunning - I would definitely come back with or without a bike. The weather is hot from 9am on but not too much of a problem once you adapt.

The race itself - I cover most things in my videos. I was very unfortunate to puncture when I did on Stage 1 - the race had broken to bits and the neutral support had not caught up. That basically killed my GC goals.

As the stages went by, my legs felt better and better. Stage 4, the massive mountain stage was going well - 2hrs in, TPT (the Iranian team) where lighting it up on the second major climb (8km at close to 9%) and Eddie and I were in the front 9 (4 TPT riders!). It was tough, actually really hard, but I it was one of those days when the pain/suffering was enjoyable. The final Philippine rider popped and a gap opened, I bridged, but Eddie was in trouble - my team duties were to stay with Eddie, so I did. The rest of the day was pretty amazing, very hot, steep long climbs and super fast descents. I finished 10th (18th GC) on the stage and helped Eddie to 8th overall (importantly, in the UCI points). 

I was a little apprehensive of how my climbing form was going into the stage, I had never raced a stage like this on the road bike (close to 4,000m of climb across 95km), but afterwards, I was happy with how it felt. Team TPT are basically like the Team Sky of the Asian Circuit - they had possibly their strongest team there (and the final GC shows that) - but I was happy with how I could ride against them. Over the last few weeks, I have slowly adapted to riding in close to 40 celsius each day, got a little leaner and kept the same power - it all adds up.

Tour of Azerbaijan is also going to include a lot of climbing, a really strong lineup and live on Eurosport as far as I know. I can't wait. It is going to be a really really tough test. The team will be Mark, Stephen, Daniel and myself as the Irish riders as well as Kazakh Sergey and Eddie. Our staff is Irish for this one.

Here are a few photos from the last week.

Out for a spin the day before Stage 1

Accommodation for the first few days was very basic, but the view made up for it

Noodles - sometimes there is very very little choice, but this was tasty (not paleo!)

Some traditional huts before one of our evening dinners

Back in Tumpang, Indonesia with Sergey (Singapore will be our first race together)

Lunch and dinner, you are SURE to find, rice, chicken and veg soup

Something different today - Urap - spicy salad with coconut - YUM

2013 Tour de Philippines Stage 4

A big mountain stage today - almost 4,000m of climb packed into 90km! Very hot on the early climbs too.

 And for the Strava Folk (power data not right)

 

2013 Tour de Philippines Stage 3

Much shorter today

2013 Tour de Philippines Stage 2

Hot hot hot! :)

2013 Tour de Philippines Stage 1

More training and photos from Indonesia

We spent a little over two weeks training in Indonesia on the climbs and behind the motorbike. We are back on our travels again with an epic 28hrs of travel for only 3 short flights - on Saturday, we start the Tour de Philippines. I'll put the usual video blogs up after each stage.

Above, checking out a location for a possible MTB stage race later in the year 

Another view - it is closed at the moment and they are making repairs - looked cool though 

One of the few quiet moments around Malang

Christopher picked me up so local high quality coffee beans so I can continue with my addiction

A few years ago, there was only horse and cart here - now mopeds are the transport of choice for the locals.

Imagine motor pacing through the above... I don't have to imagine.

Stopping off to buy more water at a market

Every day, some version of rice with chicken and vegetable 

Drying out the coffee beans - pity it is along the street though - hate to think what all the moped/truck pollution is doing to the fine harvest

2013 Tour de Taiwan Stage 7

The final stage in Taiwan, 5 laps of a 10km city circuit. Fast, rain, cobbles but safely got around. Bunch kick at the end. Thanks for a great race Taiwan, to the organisers, riders and teammates.



And for you Strava folk

Hanging out in Indonesia

Uploads speeds are killing me, so the final Tour de Taiwan video is not up yet...

After the race, and a great breakfast (LCHF tastiness), we spent the day traveling back to Indonesia, Surabaya to be exact (via Hong Kong). All went well, and with Stage 7 only being just over an hour long, not too tiring.

In Surabaya, the next day we were brought on a tour of the Polygon Factory - many brands, not just Polygon are made and painted there. We even got to see our new bikes (getting them in a few weeks) in an early stage of production. It was great to get a proper grasp of how the thing I spend so much time with is made.

Riding in Surabaya was difficult to say the least. I have never ridden in such traffic and pollution before - it was very difficult for training, but there was a nice stretch we rode up and down a few times with no traffic, fresh air and beautiful views. To say it is hot here is an understatement - between 30-37C, but, and this is the important bit, close to 100% humidity - I'm adapting, but it is tough! Still, I see the photos of the snow at home and am really appreciative to be here.

The following day, we rode to Malang where I am now - no pollution, great roads and lots of climbs. Where we stay, the accommodation is very basic by European standards, but normal/good for traveling in Asia. BUT, we have an amazing group of people around us, a cook, mechanic, a guy for motor pacing (or simply riding behind us with spare wheels/water) and some of the most friendly people in the world. My current life would not be for everyone, but before I cycled, I travelled a lot and have been able to slot straight back into it. I find myself smiling a lot.

Originally, we were to race the Tour de Thailand next week - unfortunately, it is not happening for us now, so I'll be here for about 10-12 days then off to the Philippines for the next race.

On a nice section of road 30km from Surabaya

Post ride recovery

Mark (Ireland), Edgar (Spain), the Indonesian riders and I

1,000 year old temple close to Malang

Mr. Harry (team owner), Edgar and I

Dinner

Really nice roads in Malang

Eddie and I after a long climb at a fuel stop this morning :)

2013 Tour de Taiwan Stage 6

Zipping along the coast, a few climbs and then back along the coast for a hectic sprint finish.

2013 Tour de Taiwan Stage 5

Another day zipping around Taiwan.

2013 Tour de Taiwan Stage 4

114k, Cat 1 and Cat 3 towards the finish - cooler and even some rain - just like home.

2013 Tour de Taiwan Stage 3

Warm, quick with a kicker finish.

2013 Tour de Taiwan Stage 2

Hot and fast, I took a chance, but didn't work out.

2013 Tour de Taiwan Stage 1

Stage one of the first big race of the year, Mark Dowling and I are the Irish contingent on the team here.




Internet permitting, I'll try to do one for each stage.

Polygon Sweet Nice

This had been pretty solid for a while but not confirmed until now - happy to say what I'm doing in 2013.

Polygon Sweet Nice has been confirmed UCI Continental Status under the Irish Cycling Federation. PSN is an Indonesian based team in operation since 1999 racing primarily the Asian Circuit. For the 2013 season, they are registered as an Irish team with five Irish riders, namely Daniel Clifford, Mark Dowling, Stephen Halpin, Charles Prendergast and Ryan Sherlock.

The teams main focus will remain the Asian Circuit but the recently announced UCI 2.2 AnPost Ras will rate highly in the teams objectives as well as other European races as yet to be finalized.

Quote from Ryan Sherlock:

“We had been working on putting this together for a while – it had frustrated me that there has not been an Irish Continental team for many years and when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to help setup PSN as an Irish squad. PSN has been successfully racing the Asian Circuit for many years with a great setup in place – I'm really happy we can join into this established team.

We hope that this will be the first year in a great development for the team and give an opportunity for Irish riders to race at a higher level.

Cycling Ireland have been fundamental on getting this off the ground – they made the process as smooth as possible and I would personally like to thank our federation for all their time and assistance.”


Full Team

CHRISTOPHER TJONDROKUSUMO Antonius	INA
CLIFFORD Daniel	IRL
DOWLING Mark	IRL
HALPIN Stephen	IRL
KUZMIN Sergey	KAZ
NOHALES NIETO Edgar	ESP
NUR ARIF PRAYOGO Dealton	INA
PRANATA Jimmy	INA
PRENDERGAST Charles John	IRL
RIYANTO Agung	INA
SHERLOCK Ryan	IRL

Sports Director	Mr. TJONDROKUSUMO HARIJANTO Sastra
Representative of the team	Mr. CARR Stewart

Polygon bikes: http://www.polygonbikes.com/