Phoenix GP Rider Diary

Sunday 5th March 2024

Eoghan McGuigan

The combined A1-A2-A3 race started at 10am under a dark grey sky similar to Annaclone the previous day. The rain held off, however, and the riders were treated to some sunshine in the latter half of the proceedings.

It was my first time on this course, but I knew the finish from a Phoenix club race last summer. It’s a fast course, and the A2 group did not waste any time getting organised and rolling through. My legs were very heavy from the previous day’s racing, and I suffered during this first part of the race

When the A1s caught us, a group of about 4 riders, including Odhran Doogan (1st) and George Peden (3rd), continued to push off the front. The A2 bunch was then split by the pace required to keep this breakaway in sight; thankfully, I was able to get on the right side of it. When the gaps between these three groups on the road were established, our group eased up slightly, allowing me to take on a gel and stuff the gilet into the jersey. It was warming up on the road; this was a nice contrast to getting foundered the day before.

In the last lap, we caught the large A3 bunch, and the race was back on for some Cycling Ireland points. By now, I was feeling a lot better and put in an attack to try and get a head start for the final drag to the finish on Lylehill. This didn’t stick, and I had to watch on as a small group countered and got a gap. The 1km drag to the line allowed me to put in a big effort and get the last place in the top 10. This earned me my first point since being upgraded to A2 last year. 

Thanks to Phoenix CC for putting on a great event.