While not as successful as the A4s, the A2/3 race in Carlow saw some determined efforts from the Orwell riders - Diarmuid Collins in the break, and Valdis Andersons going close in the sprint. He takes us through his race below, with a video of the finish...

There were 4 Orwells in the A2/3 race today: Diarmuid Collins, Brian McNally, Odhrán Connors and myself.

There was attacking almost from the gun, Diarmuid and I got in a four man break very early on the first lap. We had a small gap but the other two lads died a bit on the first drag and not long after that we got mopped up. A good few more attacks went and came back before a big break got away with no Orwell representation. That stayed away 'til half way through the 3rd and last lap.

Meanwhile on the second lap a lot of the clubs were happy sitting in, having men up the road. The ones who missed out (including us) tried firing men up the road. Brian McNally had good long solo stint off the front. Once he was reeled in the pace slowed, then Diarmo went - again - but was almost immediately shut down. I came up beside him and he said to just go for it. So I did, using his calm and composed style of attacking - no sprinting, just slowly pulling off the front and once there is a gap it's head down. Didn't take long for the bunch to get me back but the break was back in sight and no more than 25 seconds ahead.

On the last lap the break was reeled in and then the real attacking started. It was relentless! Riders weren't even waiting for a break to come back anymore, somebody was attacking at any time I cared to look at the front. Odhran went a good few times, so did Diarmo. In the meantime me and Brian were just following wheels and desperately trying to get closer to the front. Diarmo had finally got up the road with three more lads and they stayed there 'til the last km or so. After the last roundabout I finally managed to get near the front and did my best to chase after attacks and shutting down chase efforts. In the last 2km two riders pinged off the front and I was on them like a sticky note on a fridge. They didn't mind me much, one of them did flick his elbow but I made it clear that I have a man up the road and they did bring me over to Diarmo (I was a bit surprised to be honest).

By then we were already in the last km. I let Diarmo know that I'm there but unfortunately the effort in the break had taken its toll on him. He did try to bring me closer to the line and there was still a small gap to the bunch and one rider about 20m up the road. He dropped me off at about 700m to go and I went like there was no tomorrow!

With 200m to go I had caught the guy in front and sprinted past him - still clear road ahead.

100m to go and I see riders on my right and left starting to pass me.

50m to go, digging as deep as I could, I got swallowed by a dozen riders.

Ended up 13th overall (Laila took a video of the finish). We all tried and have our best but it wasn't to be this time.

 

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!