www.anpostchainreaction.com

Eoin McCarthy about his first races:

To say my first races with "An Post-Chain Reaction" have been "eventful" would be a huge understatement. They have been quite a shock to the system! Every year it has taken me the first few races to fine-tune my condition and this year is no different. I've had a good winter of training preparing for the season, but you can never compare training to racing!

GP Marseille kicked off my 2015 campaign. It was full gas right from the beginning with an 8km climb starting at kilometre 0. I was pretty quick to realise that I am no longer in the Elites and u23's - ouch! After about 30 or 40 minutes there was a stall in the peleton, and unsure that we had anyone representing us in the breakaway I just rolled off the front. At the beginning it was unintentional. I was just eating a HIGH5 gel at the front, I went around a corner and had a gap. I just rode steady and didn't make any crazy efforts. I hoped someone might join me and when I got the first time check and realised Conor had made the breakaway - I didn't know what to do! I never knew he was in front. I didn't really want to sit up and go back to the peloton, it would have been embarrassing so I kept riding and got over some of the harder climbs at my own pace. I spent about one to one and a half hours on my own. When I got caught we started another hard climb within a few kilometres and about halfway up I blew my lights. Maybe I had ridden harder than I thought. Lesson learned for the future, but hey - nothing ventured, nothing gained. I had nothing to lose. I got my name on the radio and some publicity for the team, if nothing else. I'll always have a story to tell about my first race at this level!

After GP Marseille we then had a few days to prepare for Etoille de Besseges which started today, Wednesday. For the first time in a long time I am sitting in my hotel room typing a blog, and finding it difficult. My brain is fried after a hectic first stage! The wind was the major decider in todays race, splitting the race to pieces from kilometre zero. Freezing temperatures, snow and crashes helped animate things equally! Immediately from the flag drop a front group had formed, from then on it was full gas and very nervous, everyone wanted to be in the front at all times. I am still amazed how I didn't crash today, I was agonisingly close on many occasions. Just before the second GPM (KOM) my race was decided. There was a crash right in front of me which caused a split in the peleton. I tried my hardest to come back but with the wind being so strong it was impossible, I went as hard as I could but couldn't close the gap! I finished in a big group roughly 13 minutes behind winner Kris Boeckmans from Lotto-Soudal. I have a lot to learn at this level, GP Marseille and today's stage show that, but I am optimistic that I can make improvements once I get the hang of the style of racing. It's funny because when I went to Belgium first, I found the local kermess races really hard and a year later I was contesting for wins. It's the same principle here, only harder. A lot harder! Tomorrow is another day. To try again and learn more...

Eoin

Interview from Calpe with anpostchainreaction.com

Here's an interview I recently did at our training camp in Calpe with the guys @ anpostchainreaction.com :

We are an Irish team, so talking with an Irish rider is always nice. Today we spoke with youngster Eoin McCarthy. A smart guy with an interesting opinion.

Eoin, why did you choose for An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly CT?

Last year I had the opportunity to meet Kurt Bogaerts and show myself and my skills to him. I really wanted to convince him to sign me. After I receive the chance of being a rider for his team I was elated. It means a lot to me!

What are you're expectations for this season?

Actually I need to see how things work. This is a whole new world for me. So I can say with pride that I like the idea of being a good helper. This way I can get to know the guys and how things work at this level.

How is the preparation going?

I'm happy with the training and the intensity. I must say that it's hard, but fun. We will be ready for the start of the season, of that I'm sure!

Which team-rider has made an impression on you yet?

Because I assume everybody is going to say Aidis and maybe I would to I rather go for Ryan Mullen. Not because he's Irish but because he is good and above all modest about his achievements. Happy to be on the same team!

Good luck and thank you Eoin!

A blog from Calpe, seen on anpostchainreaction.com

The first few days at the An Post-ChainReaction team camp have been awesome. It's great to be back out here with all the boys again after some family time at home in Ireland over Christmas/New Year. We are clocking up some quality kilometres to prepare the 2015 season. With the season only about 3 weeks away everyone is looking to out the finishing touches on their condition and this camp looks as if it will be the perfect block we need.

Right now I am really happy! Upon arrival, we received all of our new kit from Onda Sportswear and Nike, and it's fitting like a glove. Just perfect! It is super cool - and with our new team logo, and fluo green design on our casual clothes it definitely stands out from the rest of the teams here at the Diamante Beach! Now I really feel like a part of the team, and when everyone is riding in the same kit it's better for the team morale - as if it wasn't good enough already!

On the road it's great for a young guy to have such experienced guys around like our coach Niko Eeckhout who you can call upon for some advice and tips. I have a lot to learn about racing at this level, and I am very eager to pick at his brain and get as much advice possible to use in the early season. Aidis Kruopis is another experienced rider whom I am learning from, and I look forward to learning more. He rode for many years at WorldTour level and is good enough to win some of the worlds biggest races. He's a super nice guy, and we have a lot of laughs out training. I told him today he needs to teach me how to descend - because he's waiting for everyone at the bottom of every mountain. He's got skills!

Today I am getting a massage from our swanny Hans, and then I have some media work to do for our new video " #weshareourdream " which will be aired online after the camp. Tomorrow we have a nice ride in the mountains planned - and I hear that it's meant to be a hot sunny day. Maybe I'll get my arms out and get rid of this Irish milk bottle tan! Suns out, guns out and all that jazz...

Bye for now!

Eoin McCarthy

Although 2014 officially comes to an end in just over a weeks time, it ended for me back in October. After my well needed break at the end of a hectic race season my focus was fully on 2015, and 2014 was put behind me. Like almost all full time cyclists I know, I tend to go in seasons and not by the actual yearly calendar. When I started prepping my racing season, my new year started. Just another small thing that makes us bike riders stand out from the rest! 

I thoroughly enjoyed my off season this year. I spent most of my time chilling out while catching up with family and friends. I enjoying some down time whilst not thinking about the bike and fully replenished myself both physically and mentally. For my 21st birthday I got the best present imaginable from my mother, who I dearly love! A trip to New York City.  This was probably the highlight of my year, if not one of the highlights of my life to date. I won't go into detail because you'll be here all night reading but to sum it up in one word - Awesome! 

After my week in NYC I was fully motivated and ready to get back into my routine which I love so much. After a week or so of getting back into training I spent the weekend in Leeds to attend The Dave Rayner Fund dinner. It was huge success - plenty of money was raised (close to 50,000 pounds if I remember correctly) for such a worthy cause and I am honoured to have been a recipient this past race season. It was great to catch up with everyone away from the lycra and bikes. Plenty of laughs were had! Here's a quick video from the night:

I've just had an epiphany. I am over halfway through my 2015 season preparations already and if I'm selected for the teams first race I could be racing on Febraury 1st which is only about 6 weeks away. I'll soon find myself packing my bags to head back to my European base in Belgium and starting my third full season on the continent. It may be close, but there's still a lot of work to do. A day at a time, Eoin, a day at a time... 

My winter so far, touch wood, has been great. I just seem to be ticking the boxes and enjoying myself while doing it. This winter I have introduced more strength/core training into my schedule with the help from Dan Clifford at Goal Based Training . As Dan has been a high performance cyclist himself he works the gym/core work into my cycling programme perfectly so I get the best out of my bike sessions, which are still the most important.
 I would highly recommend him as a coach to any cyclist looking for an edge! I can't believe I have neglected this aspect for so long. Don't make the same mistake I did! Get onto it!
I have been getting my gym work done at the fantastic facilities at Rejuvenate Health & Fitness in Fermoy. I'd like to thank Paul for his generous help in allowing me to work in such a professional environment. This is going to make a big difference!

I'm not long back from the first "An Post - ChainReaction" team training camp which was in Calpe, Spain between the 7th-15th December. It was the first meeting of the 2015 team, and all bar our two southern-hemisphere riders were in attendance. I'm sure we'll forgive them! We spent the week getting to know one another and familiarising ourselves with the new set-up. Being Irish, and having friends on the team it was easy to fit into, what felt like, an already familiar set up. I really enjoyed getting the feel for my new Vitus Vitesse Evo bike. I'm delighted with how stiff, light and comfortable it is and can't wait to race it throughout 2015! Big thanks to Vitus Bikes as well as FSA Components , Continental Tyres , PROLOGO and Speedplay Pedals. 

The goal for the camp was to clock up some quality endurance kilometres in the sun before we all headed home to the less-fair weather. As well as training hard everyone got along really well and we had plenty of laughs throughout the week which built great team atmosphere going into the future. I've come away from the camp with extra motivation and I certainly can't wait for our next outing! 

I'm now in Ireland preparing myself for the Christmas/New Year period with my family. I took a few easy days after the team camp to recover and refresh a little and now its just about maintaining and increasing my condition while introducing some more specifics building up to our next team camp on the 11th of January. After our camp some of us will only have a week before we are pinning on our numbers again. Exciting times!

A merry christmas and happy new year to everyone! See you all in 2015!

Twitter: @Eoin_McCarthy

Instagram: @eoin_mccarthy

Press Release: An Post-Chain Reaction Sean Kelly 2015

I am extremely proud and happy to announce I have signed for the UCI continental team “An Post-Chain Reaction” (The Sean Kelly Team) for 2015. This is a fantastic opportunity. I will be based in Belgium for the 2015 season and look forward to making it a very successful year. 

I can't thank my family enough, without their love and support through the last few years I wouldn't be in this position to keep following my dreams! I'm making my way, small steps at a time and this is my biggest step so far.

To everyone who supported me over the past few years, my first club - Fermoy CC, all at ASFRA-Flanders Racing Team, and Terra Footwear-Bicycle Line/Terra Safety Shoes for giving me the opportunity to race on the continent and try reach my full potential. 

To my coach Luc Wante for all his help and guidance over the past few years.  

All at Cycling Ireland for putting the belief in me and giving me the chance to race at international level and represent my country. I’m very appreciative and grateful! 

To Rene van Dam, for putting up with me and looking after me so well in the Ras for 2013 & 2014. It was a huge honour! 

Thanks guys!

Thanks to the Dave Rayner Fund for their generous support in 2014. Things would have been very hard without them! I am honoured to be a part of such a fantastic organisation! 

My 2015 preparation is already in full flight. I am getting back into training steadily. I am very excited to be getting the help of Daniel Clifford at The GBT Studio (Goal Based Training) in Killorglin as my strength and conditioning coach through the winter of 2014 and into 2015. I will still be working primarily with my Belgian coach - Luc Wante for my training on the bike.
 I am very grateful to Paul Howard for his generous help at Rejuvenate Health&Fitness in Fermoy, looking forward to spending some quality hours in the gym this winter! 

Folllow Me on :

Twitter: @Eoin_McCarthy

Facebook: Eoin McCarthy's Facebook

Instagram: @eoin_mccarthy

Follow An Post-Chain Reaction on:

Twitter: @AnPost_CRC

Facebook: AN Post CRC's Facebook

Youtube: AN Post CRC's Youtube Channel

Press Releases:
An Post Website

Sticky Bottle
An Post-Chainreaction signs five Irish riders for 2015

Time flies when you're having fun!

I left off on my previous blog just at the end of July/beginning of August. I had just ridden the European Championships in Switzerland and done some nice 1.12B races building towards Ronde van Namen and Ronde van Oost Vlaanderen. Next I went to Bambrugge which was a two-day 1.12B  classement and I got myself 7th overall after two high placings! I had a string of nice results and performances but still nothing to be screaming and shouting about.

They were all good signs building up to the Ronde van Namen, a 5 day race in Belgium on some hilly terrain. One I was looking forward to all year! 

Namur was a perfect type of race for me! It was very hilly but not mountainous, and it was hard enough that it sorted out the men from the boys. My one complaint for this period of the season was that it never seemed to stop raining! Made me feel right at home! A crash filled first stage in Namur ended my chances of a good result in the race. I hit the deck hard after about 130km on the first stage! I was ok when it came to road rash, that was all normal (still sore) but I had really hurt my calf muscle. It was agonising, even to touch! So when I got up and got riding to the finish I could barely turn the pedals! I got to the finish on more or less 1 leg. When coming back through the cavalcade after just 1km of riding I came to another mass pile where my team mate Liam broke his leg. Conor also his ribs early in the stage so that put everything into perspective. At least I could make it to the finish! 

I was so disappointed to have hurt myself from day one, because now I knew I had to ride for another 11 days on a battered body as I was also entered to ride Ronde van Oost Vlaanderen, another 5 day race, just two days after Namur finished. 

I spent a few days limping around in Namur wondering if I’d be physically capable of continuing.There was no way I was going to give up! Mentally I was at the races and I showed my condition was good despite getting injured by making the front group splits on the final of a few of the hard stages, but I was nowhere near 100%. I was close to a top result on a few occasions but just didn’t have that last percentage that I needed. I was also fighting at the front solo, so I reckon with some better team support I could have scored a really nice result on some of the stages. Top experience in the bank however, it was time to look forward… 

Oost Vlaanderen was not a great race for me on paper, and it turned out to be the same on the road. I just couldn’t do much, there were very few opportunities for a rider of my style. I tried going on the attack but had no luck and had one bad day where I nearly pulled the plug. I helped the team as much as I could but unfortunately we didn’t come out of the race with much. Zeno was our big hitter at Oost Vlaanderen, getting into the early breakaway twice and putting us on the radar! Sterk Jongen!

I had 10 days of great racing in the space of 12 days. So a week easy was definitely on the cards before I raced again. I then jumped back into some kermesse action to hunt for some results, and to try and show myself! My next 2 races didn’t go as I would have liked, and I felt pretty average in both. I hadn’t fully recovered so I didn’t reap the benefits of my heavy block of racing just yet. It was time to be patient. 

A few easy days later I made the race winning move and got my best result of the season in Verrebroek 1.12B. I was 2nd place in a 2 man sprint behind kermesse king Guy Smet. I was gutted not to win! (Interesting fact: 42 year old Smet has 446 wins, and 260 2nd places in his career. He knows how to win a race, that’s for sure!). It all seemed to click from here on in. My next two races saw me make the race winning move again, but didn’t quite manage a top result. 

Next I had planned to go to Tour du Moselle. A 3 day race in France, but I was forced to withdraw as I came down with some sickness. I was gutted but it was the smartest thing to do as I was now a named reserve for the Irish National Team for the UCI u23 Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain. I took some days easy to recover and opted to do some more structured training as well as some races incase I needed to be called up. Turns out I wasn’t needed in Spain, but if I was to get the nod I would have been in great shape. My last 2 races I also made the race winning move, and managed to bag a nice 5th place. This showed my form and tactical decisions were working as I managed to make the race winning move in my last 5 races of the season. It’s a pity none of these races or finishes really suited me! 

I packed up and left Belgium late September. At this time I was still unsure whether or not I would be needed in Ponferrada so I kept training. I trained and enjoyed the bike right up until the 1st of October. I ended my season with a session of lab testing in the Mardyke done by Trevor Woods. Not the easiest of ways to draw the line under my 2014 campaign, but beneficial all the same! 

That’s a wrap - the 2014 season is over! Where the hell did it go!? I had a great season, and ticked off most of my goals. I would have liked some nicer results, but I think every bike racer on the planet thinks the same. To me progression is the most important and I feel I’ve made lot’s of it this year. I represented Ireland at the U23 Nations Cups and rode a hell of a lot better than 2013. I rode my first major championships at the European’s, and almost my second at the World’s. I made my mark at the An Post Ras. I rode my first, and hopefully not last, race in the Alps. I had numerous top 10’s and even a few podiums in Belgium. And above all I am progressing for 2015. All in all I am a happy camper, a stronger and more experienced happy camper!

Although the 2014 season has just come to an end, 2015 is just around the corner. The time will fly! I won’t be staying with Team Terra Safety Shoes for the 2015 season, but I would like to thank them for the last 2 years. They were crucial for my development as a bike rider and I am grateful for your support. It will be a time I will never forget! 

Get your Dave Rayner Fund Cap from Prendas!

I am proud and honoured to have had the support of the Dave Rayner Fund for 2014. Without such a fantastic organisation young riders, like myself, would find it very difficult to chase their dreams of racing abroad and reaching their full potential. It wouldn’t have been possible this year without your generous help. I can’t wait for the dinner! You can get information and buy your tickets for the Dave Rayner Fund Dinner, in Leeds on the 8th of November here - http://www.daveraynerfund.co.uk/dinner/

Now it's time to chill for a few weeks before I have to dig out the winter kit. I'm super excited for what lays ahead! Stay tuned for more news soon... Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more frequent updates on my progress: 

Twitter: @Eoin_McCarthy

Instagram: @eoin_mccarthy

Now it's time for some more of this!  

Thanks for reading!