Even do I was content with were I got to after a short period on the bike It was still frustrating to not be were I wanted to be at that stage. So I called it quits and went to work starting with the rehab stuff again strengthening everything back up.. Then came the move to Australia….

Australia has become my home from home. I love it here. the people I stay are now considered family they totally understand why I’m here and that makes were I am the perfect place to lay the foundation’s to next season.. while here I’m riding with a team called ‘arbitrage’ a nice bunch of lad’s that noticed I was short on training gear!! I will train and do the occasional race in their kit while I’m here.

 In the last month or two I have been recruiting team’s… I wanted to go back to France so I started there.. I started big obviously and had some interest but it always came down to having no results last season in France which I needed to get into a big division 1 club…so I have settled for a good team with the races I need to show my face.. Named ‘’APOGE CYCLISTE’’ they seem like a very good set up but once the programme is there I’m happy. It consists of a lot of elite national races which has the big teams present.so that along with nation cup’s, Euro’s and hopefully the World’s I can do the buisness.

Since I am going in at a level I no I am very capable of competing at and it’s my last year as an espoir (under 23) (even do I’m only 21 next week)!! I have to get results and show what I’m capable of  to move in to a bigger team next year. I feel like I’m a season behind were I had planned. although I happy to be moving my way back up and cannot wait to get started!!!

for now its the hard work.

Ill be back soon, A.

until next time, A.

Then with training in mind I rode the mullingar 2day….I rode to mullingar on day one 50 k.. fell asleep in the car before the start and dragged myself around the race..I didnt go well today.. very lethargic and cranky and resulted in me sitting at the back giving out!…and only that I payed a 50 euro entry fee I was riding home!…day 2. time trial… when I get it hard to motivate myself for a tt I no im tired.. but gave it a lash anyway..only to be absolutely hammered by damien shaw and finish second!! he did an awesome time.I cant think of many if any that could have beaten him in that tt today. he said afterwards ”I new the road’s which was an advantage”…..it was a straight 6k tt on a main road! not much of an advantage to no the road.

later was the same story I started the race not very excited..and missed the break…but so had damien shaw the race leader and a few other good riders.so as the race went on the break hung around the minute or so mark… so the second last time up a hard hill on the course I gave it a bit of a dig and eventually rode across and through the breakaway up to the 2 leader’s colm cassidy and robin kelly,and won the sprint for another win!.. really nice to be able to do this when im so tired and when im only back a few week’s!!..so when the volume block end’s…. I take a rest and then start the fast sharp stuff…look’s good for a strong end to the season! at the moment I have nothing sorted abroad for the end of this season but I’m hard at work for next year whick look’s good. I also have managed to get an entry in chrono champenois a big 1.1 nation’s cup time trail in september which ill aim high in. I managed 15th it in last year last so let’s see what I can do!

until next week,

The week was the bones of 900 kilometres and hurt like hell at times.. this ran straight into the leinster/provincial champs at the weekend and I wanted to show myself that the training im doing is not just for fun!..went into the race aggressive which paid off! first road win of the year:-)after the presentation and picking up my envelope with my week’s wages!;-) I started to ride back to rosslare were I was staying with family for a few day’s….I brought no food with me and opted to use the race money to buy myself something nice on the way home!…untill I opened the envelope at the till and….a cheque!!!  I got the hunger knock bad and was seing star’s when I got in!! that made it a solid 160 k day..later I fell asleep in the cinema.

up a 5 the next the morning to catch the train back home…which is unbeliveably slow.straight to the gym and then to a race in mondello were I rode hard but was wrecked…then up half the night trying to sort out the rest of my season…which isnt easy this late in the year but hopefully something decent comes about in the very near future!!well I better get out on the bike and get this horrible ride done!! until next time.

After a week or so of rest and when I started to feel better I started back racing on Monday with the first stage of the Leinster 3 day in Mondello. The race itself was fast, windy and very tough. I started the race feeling a bit blocked but as the race went on I started to feel better. The race was run on handicap so by the time we caught the front group there was only a couple of km’s left so a result was out of the picture but it felt great to get some speed back in my legs. The next stage was good again and I found myself in a break of 7 guys chasing the first group on the road and catching them with about 3km to go.  As we caught them there were a few attacks in the final km’s but it all came together for a sprint where I ended up 8th. All positives to take out of the race though as it was a good sign and was great for my confidence to be involved in the racing at the front. The final stage of the 3 day race was in Baterstown and was once again run on handicap so as I was in the last group to leave I was left chasing to get to the front group from the start. I managed to attack a lot in last 2 of 3 laps but we only managed to catch the front limit group on the finish line but once again was good for my confidence to be racing good in the front.

Next on the cards is the crit champs tomorrow which I have good memories of as the last one I did saw the late Paul Healion win. So that race will always be a memorable and important race.  As my fitness is on the way up I still dont think I will have the form to get on the podium but I will do my very best and will hope to help Paidi O’Brien get the top step on the podium with all that I can do. Then it’s onto the champs and back to Belgium with Maria where im looking forward to getting back into the thick of it.

Over and out.

Stephen.