Matthew Teggart’s Rás Diary – Day 8 Ardee – Skerries
I had a plan of trying to get up the road early today. I thought it would be great to ride through Skerries the first time at the front. Everybody had the same idea though.
It was a fast start again today but none of the attacks stuck. Then about an hour into the race, there was a big split with about 20 guys getting clear.
JLT were at the front of the bunch but the gap to the leaders was just growing. We only had Seán up there. We didn’t know who else was in the lead group and I had a chat with Kasper and Damien and we weren’t sure what to do.
Then coming up to the Cat. 2 climb, the Aussies went to the front. As we turned right near the start of the climb, they went so hard and on the climb, somebody about eighth wheel let a gap grow.
The team cars had pulled in at this stage and Kurt just shouted at me “time to go.” I was at the limit and looked back at him thinking “what do you expect me to do?”. I couldn’t go any harder. As the Aussies were pulling away though, I thought the race was slipping away from me, but I somehow had the strength to get up to their wheels and I think I was the only one who did.
The Aussies were so strong and I was holding on for dear life. We caught the break after a few kilometres and I thought that we could stay away. I was starting to think that it could be my day. I even managed to be at the front as we led through Skerries.
Sean and I had to defend Kasper’s lead in the KOM competition so we were trying to take points on the climbs. There were a number of riders dropped on Black Hills and we had a good lead on the yellow jersey group. Then, one of the Aussies punctured and Cameron Meyer who was driving at the front didn’t realise. When he pulled across and nobody came through, we just lost momentum and were caught soon after.
On the second last time up Black Hills, the Aussies went again and Kasper went with them. I hesitated and lost my opportunity. However, when Kasper won, it made up for any disappointment. He’s such a nice guy and everybody likes him. It was funny as Kasper was feeling sick today. In the bunch, he was telling us “I’m feeling dead, I’ve nothing in my legs.” After the stage we were joking with him about what he could do if he was on a good day.
(Photo ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
It was a nice feeling to cross the line and earn the title ‘Man of the Rás’ for a second time. After the finish, I met friends and family and also thanked some of the organising team including race director Tony Campbell for running a great race. I signed a few autographs and gave away my bottles to some kids. It’s such a great atmosphere in Skerries.
I finished 13th today and moved up to 9th overall. If I had been offered a stage win, wearing the yellow and white jerseys and a top ten on GC at the start of the week, I’d have bitten your arm off. I also managed to hang on to my one second lead over my mate Mark Downey on GC. With about 3kms to go, I said to him “good luck trying to get that one second.”
Tomorrow, I’m going to meet up with Mark, James Curry, Lindsay Watson and Cameron McIntyre for a short spin. We’re just going to out for a half an hour, stop for a coffee and tell our war stories from the Rás. After resting for a few days, I’ll then start training for my next race, the Ronde de l’Oise.
Brilliant!!! Matthew Teggart