Not the best start at the Rás

Stage 1: Dublin - Emyvale The first stage of a race is important, not so much because the GC can be won, but more because it can be lost. Today didn't start so well for team Jet Fuel. Active in perhaps the wrong moments and faced with some misfortune, we missed what turned into an 18 rider split that gained 3:07 on the main field.

The Rás is always an active race however, with small teams and a HUGE field, the race is hard to control and there is still hope we can put some riders into yet a different race defining split. If not, we are here to race for stages and other classifications. On that note, Mark positioned himself well in the final sprint today and sits 2nd in the U23 classification behind TIAA-CREF's Stu Gillespie--who did make the front split.

Today our bad luck included: Zach crashing twice; the team working hard to get our fast finisher back in the bunch... only to be warned off by the commisaires; and before the race even started finding out, unfortunately, that Stig could not meet the team in Dublin for the start of this Rás. He has personal things keeping him away that are far more important than bike racing and our best wishes are with him as he faces them.

So, we're a man short from the gun, and luck wasn't with us today. But seven more stages are ahead and tomorrow is another day. We'll be fighting for stages, opportunities and to keep Mark at the head of the U23 classification. Stay tuned.

Cyclingnews.com is carrying excellent coverage of the race and you can see daily updates and
results there.