Ryan Bonser

23.08.07: Everybody expected a tough day and no one was disappointed. Recycling.co.uk team manager said it was "brutal". The protour teams and the beautiful but tough terrain made for a difficult day in the saddle for the young recycling.co.uk squad. Experienced team leader Chris Newton knew what to expect though and made sure that he was in the front part of the peloton when the pressure was applied.

The decisive split formed on the slopes of the first climb. The two Bonser brothers Ryan and Adam joined Chris to make three recycling.co.uk team riders in the front half of the race. Rob Partridge was disappointed to miss the split but it was inevitable that gaps would appear and as he simply put it "was in the wrong place at the wrong time". Simon Holt along with a stiff and sore, from the previous day's crash, Tom Diggle, were with Rob for the rest of the day. They were in good company too, with many top riders missing the split. An under the weather Graham Briggs suffered and didn't make it to the finish.

John Herety was pleased with Ryan and Adam and the way they rode in such exalted company. The experienced gained in the UK domestic season proved invaluable. Ryan seems to be recovering from the horrendous crash just over 12 months ago when he broke his back. It was thought he would possibly not even walk again after the mountainside crash. "Adam has improved tremendously over the season" said team manager John Herety. "He seems to improve more and raise his game in the bigger events".

Anybody who has been to Ireland or has watched the super coverage on ITV 4 can't help but be impressed by this beautiful country. Looking at the heavy Irish roads it's no wonder that the country has produced such good riders in the past.

Charlie Jackson