The word from the cyclist is good and not so good. Today’s stage was from Emyvale to Tubbercurry over 165km. Kieran did well finishing in 32nd place in 4h 17’2″. This brings him up 25 places to 47th from 72nd.

He said it was a tough day. They were fighting the weather for the whole day with rain and strong head winds. Things did improve later but there were no flats, it was rolling roads all day. Despite that, having raced the Rás last year he has a better idea of what he can do so he decided to contest the sprint today. At one point he was up in the top 15-20 but as he said himself these are “serious riders”. He is pretty happy so far though.

Unfortunately one of the team, John Dillon of the Dublin Exel Ravens, was involved in a big crash early on yesterday’s stage. John badly injured his knee, and after only 10 km in the saddle his race was over. Irish cycling caught him just after the fall.

For consolation he did make the RTE 9 O’Clock news last night.

Tomorrow stage three will take them from Tubbercurry to Lisdoonvarna. 156km with two big climbs. Best of luck Kieran