ianmcclure's blog
National Championships Update
Posted Mon, 06/10/2013 - 19:12
To all my Irish fans,
Unfortunately I will not be competing at this years Irish National Championships in Dundalk. I'm currently riding the Tour de Suisse, after which I will go straight to training camp in preparation for the Tour de France. With the Tour beginning in Corsica this year, the added travel makes it near impossible for me to return to Ireland and regretfully I will not be able to make the trip home
This was an extremely tough decision to make as racing in the Nationals is one of my favourite race days of the year. Winning the National Title in 2009 was a very emotional day for me and one I will never forget. To wear the National Championship jersey was an incredible experience and I look forward to fighting for that jersey again next year.
Exciting Times
Posted Tue, 02/26/2013 - 16:42
New year, new team but the same old gruelling pre-season! While some people might think that I lie around doing nothing but relaxing for a few months, it’s just not the case. Sure, I take a two week break, go on holidays and try to enjoy myself but my next ride is never far from my mind so subconsciously I’m always thinking how I can stay in the best shape possible. I must admit I did enjoy the 10 days holiday I took with my girlfriend last November in Bali, but by the end of it I was pulling my hair out wanting to get on the bike, weird I know.
Nicolas Roche Classic
Posted Fri, 09/28/2012 - 15:29
Join Nicolas Roche on a cycle from Tayto Park in Meath on the 6th of October 2012. This is a rare opportunity to join one of Ireland's current top sportsmen on a cycle on the roads of Meath and support The Meath Youth Federation.
More details here: http://www.nicolasrocheclassic.com/
Nicolas Roche Kit For Sale
On sale at the event will be Special Edition Nicolas Roche Cycling Clothes manufactured by the famous Santini cycling brand of clothing.
The kit will be available on the day at a special event price of:
Jersey - 50€
Bib Shorts - 60€
Both - 100€
Check out the Nicolas Roche Facebook fan page for the Kit Design.
Queries: info@trinitysportsmanagement.com
Nicolas looks forward to seeing you all next Saturday, it will be a great day for a good cause.
Nicolas Roche – From Paris to London 2012
Posted Thu, 07/26/2012 - 13:40
Having completed an excellent Tour de France, finishing in 12th position, 19.33 mins behind race winner Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky Pro Cycling), it’s back to business for Ag2R-La Mondiale’s Nicolas Roche who will compete in Ireland colours this Saturday in the Olympic Road Race. Roche, cousin Daniel Martin (Team Garmin-Sharp) and David McCann will represent Ireland in the men’s elite Road Race. Nicolas will be one of the favourites for the race taking his excellent form garnered from the Tour de France to London.
Roche targets Top 10 with 5 stages remaining
Posted Tue, 07/17/2012 - 10:48
Sitting roughly 2 minutes outside the Top 10 on GC in the 2012 Tour de France, with 15 stages complete and 5 stages remaining, the next week in this years Tour de France will see Nicolas make a push for the Top 10 overall on GC. With tomorrows 16th stage to Bagnères-de-Luchon - a 197km day in the mountains taking in 4 huge climbs - the Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and the Peyresourde and Stage 19 being a testing 53.5km individual Time-Trial which could see a GC shake up, Nicolas will be on the hunt for ways to gain some incremental time and potentially see himself ride into a Top 10 position before Paris.
Nicolas in 10th position overall on GC in Tour after stage 9
Posted Tue, 07/10/2012 - 07:40
Today marks the first rest day in the 2012 Tour and see’s Nicolas Roche sitting in 10th place overall in the General Classification behind race leader Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky). Following an eventful opening 9 stages the well earned day off will see Nicolas and his team-mates at Ag2r-La Mondiale set out for a slow and easy 2 hour spin, simply to keep the legs turning and sit down with the team to talk about the game plan for the coming week.
Nicolas has high hopes to retain and improve on his current GC position after a strong performance in yesterdays 41.5km time-trial from Arc-et-Senans to Besançon where Nicolas finished 3.08 seconds behind a strong display from Bradley Wiggins in the yellow jersey, who won his first stage of the Tour in a hugely impressive Team Sky Pro Cycling 1 and 2, with Chris Froome coming in second fastest.
Nicolas ready for Le Tour 2012
Posted Wed, 06/27/2012 - 18:41
Following his silver medal in the Irish National Championships last week Nicolas Roche shifts his focus to the 2012 Tour de France which rolls out from Liège this Saturday, the race which is in its 99th edition features 3 mountain top finishes and includes two challenging time trials. Nicolas’s AG2R-La Mondiale team last week announced the complete team to take part and has high hopes that they can secure a high GC finishing position. Nicolas will jointly lead the team with Jean-Christophe Péraud and will rely on the strength of his team to help him in secure a top 10 on GC. The route is both tricky and technical and will suit Nicolas’s aggressive style of riding.
Nicolas Announces scheduled Ag2r 2012 Race Plan
Posted Thu, 01/19/2012 - 22:08
Nicolas Ag2r 2012 Race Schedule:
GP Etrouski
Volta ao Algarve
GP Cittå di Lugano
Paris-Nice
Volta a Catalunya
Paris-Camembert
Giro del Trentino
"Inside the Peloton" wins Irish Sports Book of the Year Award
Posted Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:21
Last night Nicolas Roche’s autobiography “Inside the Peloton” won the prestigious Bord Gáis Energy Irish Sports Book of the Year Award, held in the RDS in Dublin. Nicolas usually used to winning on a bicycle accepted the award for his writing skills this time around, the book was written in collaboration with Irish Journalist Gerard Cromwell and develops on Roche’s massively popular diaries from the peloton for the Irish Independent.
Roche pulls no punches in the book, at times a brutally honest account of the rigours of professional cycle racing, internal team politics and life with a suitcase and on two wheels. Taking the reader through injury, victory and the training between, the book is already receiving a host of critical acclaim.
Nicolas Roche looks towards the end of season and the launch of Autobiography "Inside the Peloton"
Posted Tue, 10/11/2011 - 21:39
Following his magnificent stage victory at the inaugural Tour of Beijing, Nicolas Roche is nearing the end of his 2011 season, with just the Giro del Piemonte and the Giro di Lombardia left on his racing schedule.
Nicolas will return to Ireland on Oct 18th to promote his new autobiography, ‘Inside the Peloton, My Life as a Professional Cyclist’, which has been published by Transworld Ireland and is currently in all good book shops and also available online.
The 27-year-old Ag2r La Mondiale team leader will appear on breakfast television show Ireland AM on TV3 on Tuesday 18th at 7.45 and will also speak on some of Ireland’s top radio shows about his recent victory, his 2011 season, his new book and his hopes going into Olympic year.
