When Nico met Hazel!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Ballymena Road Club’s secretary Hazel Hughes attended a function in the Wellington Park Hotel last weekend which had Ireland’s top roadman - Nicolas Roche as the star attraction.
Hazel reports from the event. "Nicolas was in the Wellington Park last Sunday night to meet his fans. He was over for the Cycling Ireland awards the night before. Earlier in the day he had gone rally driving, in Monaghan, with his father, 1987 TDF winner Stephen, Philip Deignan and Dan Martin. They had four goes on the circuit and Stephen won every round!”
"Nicolas talked about his successful 2013 season which included winning a stage in the a Tour de France and also his success in the Vuelta (Tour of Spain)
Nico wore the leaders jersey, the mountains jersey and won a stage. He finished fifth overall and spoke about how his team, Saxon-Tinkoff all worked for him. Even the mechanics, who were Spanish, were giving advice about gears and equipment. He said Chris Horner hadn't so much won the Vuelta as much as Vincenzo Nibali had lost, by not defending his race leaders position, and chasing riders on the mountain stages who were much lower in the General Classification.”
"He also spoke about the long transfers after a stage race especially if he wins a stage. There are podium presentations, press interviews, drugs tests and long bus transfers to the hotels. Sometimes they don't arrive at the hotel until 10.30pm to get their massage and meal.
Nico spoke about Bjarne Riis and how he got the best from all the riders and how difficult the training camps were.
He hoped to ride the Giro which starts in Ireland next year and includes a stage which passes through Ballymena, but the final decision would be made by his team manager in the next month”
"Nicolas talked about his successful 2013 season which included winning a stage in the a Tour de France and also his success in the Vuelta (Tour of Spain)
Nico wore the leaders jersey, the mountains jersey and won a stage. He finished fifth overall and spoke about how his team, Saxon-Tinkoff all worked for him. Even the mechanics, who were Spanish, were giving advice about gears and equipment. He said Chris Horner hadn't so much won the Vuelta as much as Vincenzo Nibali had lost, by not defending his race leaders position, and chasing riders on the mountain stages who were much lower in the General Classification.”
"He also spoke about the long transfers after a stage race especially if he wins a stage. There are podium presentations, press interviews, drugs tests and long bus transfers to the hotels. Sometimes they don't arrive at the hotel until 10.30pm to get their massage and meal.
Nico spoke about Bjarne Riis and how he got the best from all the riders and how difficult the training camps were.
He hoped to ride the Giro which starts in Ireland next year and includes a stage which passes through Ballymena, but the final decision would be made by his team manager in the next month”
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