Red Bull Giants of Rio

I had the pleasure of taking part as a four person Irish team, in this inaugural year of the Red Bull Giants of Rio. Check out www.Redbull.com for all the details. Photos to follow and check out my diary page for more info

Italian and Irish National Series: May 1st, 2nd, 2004

I travelled with the National Team to the first wet and muddy race of the season, in central Italy(which we nearly didn't get to due to Alitalia on stike!). I finished 9th, which was a reasonable result considering I was really tired going into it from training.

But it didnt end there, it was straight back to Ireland the next morning for the second round of the National Irish series.However I punctured and that was my race over for the day

First NPS, April: Castlewellan, N. Ireland

After being sick all week, I didnt know if I would even get through the first Mountain-bike National Points Series race. But by riding sensibly I managed to take first spot from a small womens field. It must of been the motivation of receiving last years National Series winners Jersey that helped!

Now I hope I can just shift this chest infection and start training again!

Easter Weekend: Gorey 3 day road race:

My plan was to have a good hard weekend of racing in this established race, but my immune system took a tumble and I ended up not finishing due to a chesty cough.

Better to be healthy for next weeks first MTB NPS(National Points Series) in Castlewellan.

But great news: The Greystones Chiropractic Center are graciously buying me my race bike for this year...how brilliant is that!

April 6th and 7th: First Road Races

Staplestown and Bohermeen: I raced with the vets,juniors and 3rd cats for two days of short but good races, where I finished 1st and 2nd women respectively

March 27th, First MTB race:

My opening race for this year was the Liqui-Gas Cup (Italian National Series ). I travelled with the National team and everyone had a good race. See my diary for details.

Also....still no bike sponsor for this season, but I am still working on it!!

March, 2004: Pre Season

Fantastic news for Irish cycling, and especially for Irish Womens cycling! We have an Olympic spot for the womens XC race in August. This is due to myself and Jenny Mc Cauley's 2003 amalgamated race results, which has put Ireland inside the top 14 Nations in the World, thus we gain one spot for the Olympic games. Unfortunately, this means myself and Jenny have to race against each other for the one spot! This will be decided on the best performance out of the first three world cups in may/june this year.

Jan 2004. A New Olympic Year

2003 was a roller-coaster year. So I am hoping this one will make up for it. My season does not start until March, so until then its build up time back in the saddle.

I will be racing with the Irish National team this year, so I will be based at home in Ireland,which will be my first full season at home in six years! That will make a pleasant change. My first race will be an Italian National series in March.

September 1st, 2003

So much has happened over the past months, that I dont know where to begin. For a start I moved back home from the World Cycling Center (www.cmc.ch or through: www.uci.ch)) because I became sick and I was not recovering. So I joined the Irish Team on their racing travels, which was all going splendid until I broke my collar bone! Now my whole year hangs in doubt...see my diary for an update

February 17th,2003

This week I will be posting my predicted calender for the 2003 season.

February 7th,2003

So I have been back training at the World Cycling center for nearly two weeks now. It has been interesting getting back into a team enviroment again. Tomorrow we go for a weeks training camp in the south of France, with the french National Womens MTB squad. So I am looking forward to a week of hard training in a snow free enviroment for the week.I hope to have some photos and a write up of the week posted over the next week.

January 18th 2003

Happy New Year to you all. Sorry for the severe lack in updates from me.

I had a great Christmas and New Year, and now it is time to head back to Switzerland for a long season of hard racing. I arrive back to the World Cycling Center this Sunday.

My first race is coming up in four weeks time, which is a World Ranked Mountain bike race, held in Cyprus. I will be doing this with the Irish National MTB Team.

So now Iam off to pack up and get myself ready for another year of adventure.

October 29th, 2002

So I have some good news! I have been offered a Scholarship by the International Olympic Committee(IOC) for 2003, so that means I hope I will be travelling back to Switzerland in January 2003 to train and race a the World Cycling center again.

In addition, I have been very fortunate to find a new and important sponsor for the coming year...check out my diary page for more details on how this person could also benefit you.

October 20th, 2002

As you can guess I was not selected for the Road World Championships, which was held on Saturday 13th October. Instead I have had a really nice break at home and got to have a normal life for the month of October. This month I brought my sponsors Red Bull out mountain-biking, I think we had a great day with a range of abilities and nerves, which made for fun Mountain-bike ride.

September 21st, 2002

So now it s coming to the end of my Mountainbike season and so my stay here in Switzerland.
It has been a great experience this year, as I have learnt alot (and of course ridden some fabulous trails in Switzerland!)

I hope to be selected for the forthcoming World Road Race championships which will be held on October 13th in Zolder, Belgium. So I will have some news on that soon.

However, more good news is that I have been offered another IOC (International Olympic Committee) Scholarship for 2003, which means I will be travelling back to Switzerland and trained under the guidence of Chantal Daucourt (for those who are not familiar with her you should check out this womans cycling curriculum vitae....its impressive!)

So now it is packing up time and off home to the green fields and rolling hills of Ireland.

Happy Mountain-biking!

September 15th, 2002

The last round of the Swiss Allianz MTB Cup, which was hosted on next years World Championships course.

This was one of the best mtb courses I have ridden in a long time...technical heaven!!

Read the report on diary page if your feeling like you need some cheering up!!

September 1th, 2002

The World Mountainbike Championships report........

This was 'the' wettest and muddiest race I have done all year! Read the full report on the diary page.

Thursday May 8th, 2002

Latest News........

Hello to all of you.

I thought I should write and update you on what I have been up
to.
Well as you all know by now, I have moved teams, languages, countries, trainer, and even disciplines...well kind of!

I am now residing in Leysin ski village, which is at 1500 mt altitude over Lac Leman, in Switzerland.
I am living in the Glion Hotel School with other athletes who are also in receipt of an IOC Scholarship in preparation for Athens 2004. There are two main groups, my group is all females, which are both road and mountain bike racers, and we are coached by Ms Chantal Daucourt (ex European Champion)

The other group is all Track athletes, and they are coached by Mr Frederick Magne (ex world Champion). We all live together as one big happy family in the hotel school where we eat and stay together. We catch a ski-train each day down to Aigle, hich is where the World Cycling Centre is now situated. So we arrive around 9.30 am and stay until 5.30pm(ish) each day. I am not used to this lifestyle, so my faithful Red Bull is helping me adjust by keeping me going when I get to that mid-day slump, and pre afternoon training sessions.

When I arrived (three weeks ago) the other athletes had orning classes, mostly English for those foreign athletes, while the english speakers had French and computer classes. However now the summer holidays are here, classes are postponed until August which suits me as now we can train first thing
in the morning, whereas b4 we trained in the afternoon.

The facilities at the centre are excellent, with a 200m velodrome track, weights room, restaurant, and very friendly staff. As regards mountain-bike tracks, we are surrounded by endless mountain trails. In fact this week the official opening of World cycling centre mountain-bike trails were opened in Châteaux D'oux (which is about 30km from us and where the 1997 World Mountain-bike downhill and cross country championships were held). So we can use these specific trails for training, with free lift passes to the top of the downhill course (which comes in use seeing as it's an hour climb to the top by bike). So now I have ample opportunity to test my new Trek 90Full suspension, so combined with my awesome Tioga tyres, there will be no holding back on descents.

Here the terrain is pretty similar to Kuprun, which is where the forthcoming World Championships will be in Sept, so training will be excellent.

Training with the new team has been great fun. The training is varied and individually designed within the group, so you can train together and still do ones own training. We train weekly on road, MTB trails, and the Track here at the centre.

Training is daily from the World Cycling centre with Chantal, so she can monitor us each day. So there is no messing around, but that is no problem because my Red Bull keeps me alert and get the most out of each day. Recently we took part in the Tour La Drome, a five day stage race in France, which was good training for me, especially seeing as I competed in a Swiss Cup the day before we travelled to the Road Race. It averaged about 40degrees each day, so my Oakley Iridium's help save me from blindness! See race report on www.tarjaowens.com

So we have been training well since then, by taking part in road randonees. The first of these was a local event. It was 129km, out of which 45kms was climbing. I needed my Red Bull on that day! This week I travelled over to Les Gets, France, which is only 1.5hrs from here, and is where the last round of the world cup is going to be held the week after the world champs in September. Although I will be taking part in the Cross country event I did the down hill course, which is a permanent course open to everyone. It was fantastic, and can't wait to go back again.

This week Chantal is organising a Mountainbike camp for children in Châteaux D'Oeux, where they have just opened permanent MTB Trails, so we will be going along to that to brush up on some coaching skills. Then this weekend we will be taking part in a Swiss Cup (E1 UCI Event), and then it is home for the National Mountain bike championships, which I am looking forward to.

The rest of the season will comprise of both international Road and MTB races to prepare me for the forthcoming European and World Championships and then the final round of the UCI World Cup in France.

I have been included on the team's road racing programme, in preparation for the World Road Race Championships in October. It is unclear if the National Team for this event will select me, but we have decided to train for it in any case.

Below is what I am preparing for:

July 14h: Swiss Cup, Switzerland (E1 World Ranked event)
July 21st: National Irish XC Championships, Ireland (E1World Ranked event)
July 24th-27th: Tour D'Or, Four day Road Stage race, France (2.9.1 UCI )
August 3rd: European XC Championships, Switzerland
August 25th: European Cup, Italy (E1 World ranked event)
September1st: World XC Championships, Austria
September8th: World Cup Road Race, Switzerland
September 17th - 22nd: Giro Toscana, 6Day Road Stage Race, Italy (2.9.2 UCI event)
October 13th: World Road Race Championships (??)
November 14th - 17th: CAFDIS Anti-doping Conference, Athens, Greece

June, 2002

June report

So it is the end of June already. I can't believe it; the year goes by so fast when you are racing. It is now my second week here at the world cycling centre in Aigle, Switzerland. I got straight into racing which was hard, as I need time to adjust to new bikes (Trek Fuel Full Suspension), surrounding, team etc. So I competed last Sunday in a Swiss Cup, held in Silvaplana (1800meters altitude), in the east of Switzerland. I have not raced at altitude without acclimatization before, so this race was testing the theory of arriving one day before the race. It was a high standard and a hard course, which had steep climbs and equally steep technical descents. It was a 6.3km circuit and we women had 4laps. I finished 18th, with Barbara Blatter winning.
I was disappointed with my result, as I seemed to have my best lap on my last lap. I struggled a bit at the start with the altitude but after the customary lung opener first lap, I settled into a pace. Disappointingly, I was not able to use my Trek fuel full suspension to its full advantage on the opening laps as I was caught behind other riders, but on the last lap I had a free run and loved every minute of it!
Then it was back in the car for a five hour drive back to base. But just enough time to wash clothes and pack for another car journey the next day, but this time for a five day road stage race in France: the 13th Tour De la Drome(2.15 UCI ranking) It started on Tuesday and finished Sat, with six stages. I started a little sluggish after doing the mtb race on Sunday! My whole race seemed to have a pattern of good day/ bad day! The worst day was the third stage, which was a mountain stage. My back wheel got wrecked in a crash at the bottom of the first mountain climb with a GPM (Grand Prix Montagna) sprint at the top.
As a result of the crash there were bodies everywhere and team cars struggling to get through to riders, so I had a bit of a wait for a wheel. But my team car arrived and then it was up to me to chase up the climb after the bunch. As soon as I got back on an attack went for the GPM and I was finished! If only I had a minute more recovery in the bunch, I think I would have been ok. So after that it was a long and arduous ride to the finish with other riders who were ejected from the group on the climb. Sometimes sport does not do ones ego any favours!! But as we are told in a stage race there is always tomorrow.
So for the stages I finished: 44th First stage, 30th Second stage,52nd Third Stage, 24th Fourth,38th Fifth, 14th Sixth, and overall 38th

So now it is back to base at the centre to recover for a few days before the next event.

Thursday May 8th, 2002

I have been offered a UCI Scholarship!!!

I have been offered a UCI Scholarship and I have decided to take it, and so will be travelling to stay at the World Cycling Centre at the end of May after the two MTB World Cups. It will be until October 2002, with a possibility of 2003, depending on "my behaviour"!!?? Its great news, as it means financially it will be easier and I will be coached by Ms Chantel Daucourt (who is ex-pro, and European champion).

Thursday May 8th, 2002

Lots of news on the diary page including a win in the Tuscan Superbike Series and 8th Elite in the Brianza Cup, National Italian Round E2 Mountain Bike event....For all the stories look at the diary page.....

Sunday April 14th, 2002

thought I would show you this. It was taken at the first race this year with my new team: twoKtwo. I am in the blue gear, yellow helmet. The race was 1.9.2 UCI GP De Castanaso, Bologna. I was having a great time and then, got caught behind a crash going onto last lap....oh well, there is always other races.Click here to see a photo

Sunday April 14th, 2002

Race report:
Date:7th April,
Event: Route De Mimosa, Regional Championships for Provance/ Cote D?Azur. Cannes, France.

I was not supposed to race this weekend, as I had my wisdom teeth out on thurs,and so it was thought best with stitches,antibiotics and pain-killers it was better I take a weekend off. So I arranged to visit some friends in Cannes, France for the wkend. However, when I arrived they informed me ofthe regional champs that were going to take part the following day, and seeing as it was only down the road, I thought I would go along to watch(and maybe if feeling ok get some training in!).
The course was a 20km loop for the women and juniors , in the Alpine Maritians. Which I have always wanted to ride in!

So I entered, thinking at least I will get some training in, and if I feel terrible then I can just stop. But deep down I knew that wouldn?t happen! As soon as the gun goes, race mode sets in and adrenaline starts pumping. It was great!

The course was very technical, with long steep climbs. The terrain was very rocky and I knew not having practiced the course I needed to ride conservatively on the descents inorder to avoid puncturing. I had a great battle, and soon the pain in my mouth was replaced by the customary burning of my lungs and legs?..masacist really!! I was really at a disadvantage not having ridden the course prior to the race, as evident when I made a technical error and ended up lying on the
ground, and was overtaken by the third placed rider. Ah well! So I ended up third, but I was content enough as I had a great race, great training and got to ride the Alpine Maritians. What more could a girl want! So since then I am not only nursing a swollen mouth, but also a swollen knee on legs that are covered with bruises?I some times wonder!

Thursday March 14th, 2002

"Well race number one was last weekend, GP Castanaso, near bologna, a 6km flat circuit x 16 laps. The course has six 90 degree bends on it and was fast and furious, the average spped was 42.9kph for the 97km. It was won by Zulite, and Regina Schleicher (my last years team mate) was second. Our team was made up of five.

The race started well and continued so, with a few attempted break aways that were brought back. Four hot spot sprints which made my handlebars look so tasty that I seem to bit them quite a bit!!

Then going on to the last lap, another jump went, but there was also a touch of wheels which resulted in a pile up and yours truelly got stuck behind it ....luckily I did not come off...(with the help of few mtb bunnyhops) but I was completely over geared and trying to catch a wheel whizzing by was unattainable for me at that moment..so ciao and race over for me.

So it was up to my other team mates, however there was another crash with 200m to go which two of my team mate got caught behind. However one of our girls was fourth in the sprint, which was good to hear, and brought the team spirits a little higher.

SO now it is back to training for the week with the team and our DS, and looking forward to the next race this coming wkend, which I believe is quite a hilly circuit.....that could mean anything in Italian terms"

Monday March 12th, 2002 - "Well race number one was last weekend, GP Castanaso, near bologna, a 6km flat circuit x 16 laps. The course has six 90 degree bends on it and was fast and furious, the average spped was 42.9kph for the 97km. It was won by Zulite, and Regina Schleicher (my last years team mate) was second. Our team was made up of five." to read more look at the diary page............

Monday March 11th, 2002 - Sorry there has been no news but Tarja is currently in Italy just adjusting to life with her new Team. Prior to that she spent two weeks in Gran Canaria Training on the Road so life has been very hectic for her. When she settles in she assures me that updates will be regular so keep checking back for all the latest news. Meanwhile there are some new photos on the gallery page and a request for feedback from Tarja below.

Monday March 11th, 2002 - Hello all, Tarja here. I hope you are all well. I wanted to get your feedback on the following web-site www.cafdis-antidoping.net I am the athlete observor for this project, and I am hoping to put across athletes views and opinions on what they want a)done about the whole doping issue and b) what they would like to see on an information site...be that as simple as natural alternatives that athletes can take or sanctions they would like to see implemented...what ever you think. If you feel the site is not user/athlete friendly, or not informative enuf then let me know. The site is only in its infancy, so now is the time to have your say in what is put on. Thanks and hope you are all well.

Tarja

Wednesday January 30th, 2002 - Read the diary from the womens mountain bike day and see how this day was another step forward for mountain biking in Ireland. Click here

Monday January 27th, 2002 - New Photos on the Gallery page.

Monday January 7th, 2002 - I am back off to sunny Tuscany to ride with a new womens road Team twoKtwo read more on the diary page

Tuesday December 11th, 2001 - Diary update

December 4th, 2001 Race report from Team-WORC's Cyloc-Cross Race plus read how I am trying to get more women involved in the sport, all on the Diary page.

Friday 30th November,2001 - Catch me in the Phoenix Park this Sunday at Team-WORC's Cyclo-Cross race and next week at the National Champs run by Apollo in Lurgan.

Thursday 22nd November,2001 - My Newly appointed position as Athlete Observer for the CAFDIS Project CAFDIS Project, means "Conserted Action in the Fight against Doping In Sport" CAFDIS is EU funded project, that brings together the following principal Partners:

International Olympic Committee Medical Council

Olympic Council of Ireland

Olympic and sporting Council of France

Olympic Council of Italy

International Cycling Fed(UCI)

Official IOC Anti-doping Lab in Athens, Greece.

This Project consists of creating and then supplying a web site with anti-doping info.It will take form over three years due notably to the help from the European National Olympic Councils and will then be transferrred to the International Olympic Committee Medical Council or the World Ant-doping Agency(WADA).

The inaugural meeting (of 6) was held in Dublin, in the Merrion Hotel,on the 25 to 28th Oct, 2001.The project will be completed by Dec 2003. I am officially the projects only Athlete Observer to date. It is my job to attend all meetings and ensure that the Athletes view is taken into consideration in the construction of the web site, and the information listed on it. The project's coordinator is Dr J Cummiskey, of the Irish Olympic Council.It was he who invited me into the project, and has confirmed I will remain on it.