Matthew Walls - Junior Tour Champion

Matthew has written a day to day breakdown of his two major victories this year. Winning the Junior Tour of Ireland and Portugal in the same year is something that has never been done before. I was delighted to be able to help him in his success this year. - Conn.

Junior Tour of Ireland – A Race to Remember

Stage 1 – Settling In
64km | 350m elevation
The first stage was all about staying safe. With nerves high in the bunch—especially after crashing on this stage last year and seeing several early crashes—I tested a few early moves but quickly realized nothing was sticking. I decided to sit in and conserve energy, feeling a mix of caution and tension. I considered sprinting but played it safe and finished mid-pack.

Stage 2 – Breakaway Brilliance
97km | 900m elevation
I attacked solo early but was reeled in. Remembering Kilrush’s tight corners and short climb from last year, I timed a bridge to a 4-man break perfectly. All other riders were eventually dropped until only me and one other from Lee Valley remained. When we were almost caught Nathan (another Lee Valley rider and friend) bridged. We worked well together, and I took KOM points before the finish. In Kilkee, I launched my sprint early after a tight corner and won the stage, the KOM jersey, and the yellow jersey. Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster—at first feeling down as the gap went out, then hope when Nathan caught up, and finally pure adrenaline and excitement crossing the line first.

Stage 3 – Losing Yellow, Gaining Perspective
114km | 1,090m elevation
We (Team Leinster) tried to split the race on two middle climbs, but the climbs were too shallow to make a difference. We sent a teammate up the road so the team and I could save energy, but I was struggling from earlier efforts. After finally recovering, I chased a solo GC threat but couldn’t close the gap. I lost the yellow jersey by one second. Initially, I was annoyed and disappointed, but once my emotions cooled and I processed the scenario, I felt happy—it took pressure off me and the team and gave me motivation, knowing it was only a 1-second gap. Speaking to Conn afterwards, I realised it may have been a blessing in disguise!

Stage 4 – Castle Hill Chaos
121km | 1,050m elevation
The stage featured flat roads, the Burren hills, coastal cross winds, and Castle Hill. A filthy 10+% berg of a climb that is selective every year. Positioning was key, and my team nailed it. Over the top, I joined a lead group of 11, including teammate Fionn Killeen. I wasn’t feeling great, my legs heavier than expected after the Burren, so I sat in. When my late attack didn’t succeed, I felt neutral—no win—but I also recognised the positives; I gained time on many GC rivals and lost none. All to play for I thought…

Stage 5 – Tactical Masterclass
118km | 1,050m elevation
After a brutal early climb, the bunch initially decimated but then regrouped. I missed a strong break soon after. I knew, I needed to be there and the legs felt far better today. I attacked hard out of the bunch, chased harder and bridged across the gap. Nathan from stage 2 rolled off the front of the break. I attacked hard again to join Nathan. I knew this was it, I pulled as hard as I could, I even offered him the stage win if he helped me regain yellow, being out fo the GC he was fully onboard with the deal. Emotionally, I felt worried at first, then excited to be working with such a strong competitor. Seeing the time gaps hold, my excitement started to build as the finish neared. Crossing the line felt like Stage 2 all over again, with the added sense of redemption. He won the stage, I went into yellow and took the KOM jersey too (I got some slagging for posting up as well). I was delighted.

Stage 6 – Holding On
77km | 800m elevation
Seven laps with one climb per lap. Early on, I was confident I could defend the lead (maybe too confident), but the gaps at times made it feel almost impossible. Externally calm, internally I had to fight to keep my mind focused and not make errors. Drilling on the front with Nathan (now a good friend after our exploits this week) and my trojan Leinster teammates was exhilarating—it showed how many people, including myself, wanted this. When I found out I’d won, my mind went blank. Speechless, exhausted, and barely able to believe it, I crossed the line in shock and awe. THE F*CKING JUNIOR  TOUR! Last year I was 72nd, 31 spots from Lantern Rouge. 

The ball was rolling.

Junior Tour of Portugal – Time to Prove it.

This race had been on my calendar since the spring. I was feeling great coming into this after a stint of Belgian kermesses and a training camp in the Algarve to acclimate to the heat with the team I raced in Seville with. a few weeks earlier. ‘The graft was done’, as Conn says.

Stage 1 – Finding My Rhythm

103km | 1,300m elevation
The plan was to follow any break with top teams (I’d done my homework and raced against many in the previous weeks). At 17km, I jumped into a move and my teammate Tomas bridged across. I felt good physically and mentally, but confusion and frustration grew after Tomas had bridged as the other rider who came decided to stop pulling. We were caught in the last few KM which was heartbreaking after all the effort. I finished in the bunch but I was exhausted. The plan was not to attack from so early on in the race. Although I had lost no GC time, I felt a little bit on the back foot now as my aggression had failed.

Stage 2 – KOM and a Missed Opportunity
95km | 1,260m elevation
I started the day feeling stiff after almost 80km of full gas the day before. I missed the move but managed to bridge solo to a big break, when I did this I knew my legs were there, I was back feeling myself. After the bridge I felt like I had no chain today, I was cruising. I took the KOM points, sprint points, and bonus seconds. Coming into the finish sprint, which I was feeling quietly confident given how successful the day had been until now, I hesitated and finished 6th—disappointed in myself for missing the chance to win but still pleased with the KOM jersey and GC gain. That said 6th in a sprint at a race like this is nothing to be too disappointed about, Conn reminded me afterwards. ‘Everything in perspective’, he told me.

Stage 3A – When Awareness Slipped
70km | 1,200m elevation
There was a big climb at 55km, I was caught slightly out of position, and I narrowly avoided a crash at the base of the climb. I lacked confidence in the chaos of the group initially leading into the climb but drew strength from my teammates who brought me forward. On the climb, I felt strong but uncertain how I’d be able to climb with the 50kg mountain goats. I was able to hold onto the group more comfortably than I thought I’d be. Reaching the final corner and I again was out of position made me angry at myself for switching off. I lost 4 precious seconds in the GC hunt.

Stage 3B – TT Troubles
19km | 300m elevation
I was loaned a TT bike by the team for this stage (thank you!). Before the TT, I was stressed, I was still doing an aero wind tunnel photo shoot (extremely legit I know) in the car park just hours before my start, there was no turbo available for me initially, and the gears weren’t working  properly. Thanks to the good people around me the issues were fixed. I was really hoping for a good ride in this TT but during the race I knew it was about limiting my losses. I had spent too much energy worrying about everything else instead of the race. I felt annoyed knowing my legs weren’t strong enough for a win and disappointed to finish outside the top ten. After the TT I spoke to Conn about how disappointed I was, how GC was probably over and how my legs weren’t feeling so good. He told me to cop on, I was still in the KOM jersey and we came up with a plan,

Stage 4 – The Big Move, Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain.
100km | 1,850m elevation 

The stage started with a climb very early on. The plan was to get the points at the top of the first climb and see how the race unfolded from there. If there was a group with me to fully commit, If I was solo, to see how the sensations were. I secured the KOM jersey, objective 1 achieved. As I rolled over the top I got aero and recovered, the gap went out… I put my head down and got to work. The gap went out to over 3 minutes. As I powered up the final climb, excitement coursed through me, giving me chills. Only in the last 200m did I feel sure I had held on—overwhelmed with emotion and relief at the effort paying off. I won the stage solo with goosebumps all over me. I took the yellow jersey and won the race by 55 seconds. 

I want to thank my coach, Conn McDunphy, for helping me to win these races. From the start, our relationship was built on honesty and trust—essential between rider and coach. Conn’s racing experience means he understands what suits me best. I’d send him detailed race reports, and after each stage, we’d jump on a call to break things down and plan ahead. It was always a two-way conversation. His guidance helped me stay calm, learn, and make smart decisions. On the final day of the Junior Tour of Ireland, he came down in person—his presence and insight made a huge difference.