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NEW YORK , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global folding electric bicycle market size is estimated to grow by USD 204.5 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period. Increasing traffic congestion is driving market growth, with a trend towards emergence of lightweight folding electric bicycles. However, easy availability of refurbished bicycles poses a challenge. Key market players include Addmotor Tech, Autonix Auto Industries Pvt. Ltd., Benelli Biciclette, Brompton Bicycle Retail Ltd., Dahon North America Inc., e JOE Bike, ENZO eBike, Kalkhoff Werke GmbH, Karbon Kinetics Ltd., Mighty Velo, Ming Cycle Industrial Co. Ltd., Strodesters Inc., SUNRA, Svitch Bikes, SWAGTRON, VoltBike, Woosh Bikes Ltd., X Treme Scooters, XDS BICYCLES, and Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Age Group (Age 18-50, Lesser than 18, and Age greater than 50), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), and Geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Addmotor Tech, Autonix Auto Industries Pvt. Ltd., Benelli Biciclette, Brompton Bicycle Retail Ltd., Dahon North America Inc., e JOE Bike, ENZO eBike, Kalkhoff Werke GmbH, Karbon Kinetics Ltd., Mighty Velo, Ming Cycle Industrial Co. Ltd., Strodesters Inc., SUNRA, Svitch Bikes, SWAGTRON, VoltBike, Woosh Bikes Ltd., X Treme Scooters, XDS BICYCLES, and Xiaomi Communications Co. Ltd. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Folding electric bicycles are popular due to their advanced features and lightweight design, despite their higher price point. These bicycles boast aluminum and carbon frames, wider knobby tires, air suspensions with weight adjusters, and hydraulic brakes. Vendors focus on introducing innovative technology upgrades to attract consumers to new and upgraded products. In October 2021 , Brompton launched the Brompton X, a folding electric bike with a magnesium frame, keeping it relatively lightweight at 17 kg. Consumers are willing to pay premium prices for value-added features, and the global folding electric bicycle market is expected to experience significant growth due to technological advancements and increasing demand for lightweight e-bikes. The folding electric bike market is experiencing significant growth due to its popularity among urban commuters. This space-saving option caters to riders who face availability space issues in their homes or workplaces. The bicycle's design includes a hinge at the rear triangle, allowing the main frame to fold around the bike's rear triangle, derailleur, and moving parts. Urban residents turn to folding bikes to tackle traffic-related issues, such as long car lines and traffic jams. Private organizations and public transportation systems are embracing foldable bikes as an alternative to conventional bikes and electric cars. The material used in these bikes ranges from conventional to electric, with the electric segment gaining traction due to health advantages like improved cognitive function, reduced stress, and better mood. The folding type of bike offers balance and coordination benefits for consumers, including mountain bikers. The market trends include high-speed features and the millennial generation's preference for eco-friendly transportation options, reducing carbon emissions. The automotive sector's vehicle sales are impacted as consumers opt for these bikes instead. Raw materials and design performance are key factors driving innovation in the folding electric bike market. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges The high-end folding electric bicycle market faces competition from the sale of used bicycles, both online and offline. Consumers are drawn to the affordability of refurbished folding electric bicycles, which are priced lower than new ones. Vendors offering warranties further boost demand for second-hand cycles. EBay Inc. And Craigslist are notable platforms for purchasing refurbished folding electric bicycles at competitive prices. This trend may restrict the expansion of the global folding electric bicycle market during the forecast period. The folding electric bicycle market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing urbanization and the need for eco-friendly transportation solutions. However, challenges persist in the form of limited e-bike infrastructure, solar parking areas being insufficient, and bicycle theft concerns. Simplicity in storage, lightweight design, and collapsible frames make folding e-bikes an attractive option for urban commuters in metropolitan areas. Lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable batteries are key components, with battery life and performance being crucial factors. Motor efficiency, battery technology, and material innovations, including magnesium alloy and bamboo frames, are also important. Fitness tracking, navigation, and sustainability are desirable features. Solar charging and market entry dates are also considerations. Folding e-bikes offer a solution to traffic, carbon emission, and transportation restrictions, providing health benefits and a boost to fitness. However, challenges such as battery life, motor efficiency, and material costs may act as restraining factors for the electric bicycle business. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This folding electric bicycle market report extensively covers market segmentation by Age Group 1.1 Age 18-50 1.2 Lesser than 18 1.3 Age greater than 50 Distribution Channel 2.1 Offline 2.2 Online Geography 3.1 Europe 3.2 North America 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Age 18-50- Folding electric bicycles offer numerous benefits to adults aged 18-50, making them an attractive alternative to traditional modes of transportation. These benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, joint mobility, posture, coordination, and reduced stress hormones and body fat levels. With traffic congestion and air pollution becoming major concerns, folding electric bicycles provide an efficient solution. They help adults navigate through traffic effectively and contribute to reducing road infrastructure damage, which can cost governments millions of dollars daily. Governments are responding by promoting cycling infrastructure, such as protected lanes and signals, encouraging more adults to opt for folding electric bicycles. Vendors are expanding their product offerings to meet this growing demand, leading to increased sales in the age group 18-50 segment of the global folding electric bicycle market. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis Folding bikes, also known as foldable or collapsible bikes, are a space-saving option for urban commuters and riders with limited available space. These innovative bikes feature a collapsible frame that allows the main frame, rear triangle, derailleur, and even the bicycle's back wheel to be folded for easy storage. With the integration of rechargeable batteries, folding bikes have evolved into electric folding bikes or e-bikes, providing a boost for riders in metropolitan areas. Lightweight design, long battery life, and high motor efficiency make these e-bikes a popular choice for eco-conscious commuters looking to avoid cars and motorbikes in traffic. Design aesthetics and battery technology continue to improve, offering a wide range of options for riders seeking a combination of performance and portability. Market Research Overview The Folding Electric Bike market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing demand from urban commuters for space-saving mobility solutions. Folding bikes offer the convenience of compact size, making them an ideal choice for riders in urban areas with limited available space. The main frame, rear triangle, derailleur, and hinge are key components of a folding bike, with moving parts minimized for ease of use. Urban residents face traffic-related issues such as long car lines and traffic jams, making folding electric bikes an attractive alternative to private vehicles. The electric segment of the folding bike market is gaining popularity due to its health advantages, including improved cognitive function, reduced stress, and better mood. Folding electric bikes offer high-speed features and are popular among the millennial generation, who prioritize green mobility solutions over traditional automobiles. The electric lineup includes ground-breaking models like the E-scooter ES-2, GB-2 Electric, Ciao E7, and Unio E20. The rising urbanization and affordability of folding electric bikes are driving demand, with existing infrastructure being adapted to accommodate e-bike infrastructures such as solar parking areas. However, concerns over battery theft and simplicity in storage remain challenges for the industry. Lightweight design, long battery life, and performance are key considerations for consumers, with advancements in battery technology, motor efficiency, and material innovations driving growth. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Age Group Age 18-50 Lesser Than 18 Age Greater Than 50 Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography Europe North America APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/folding-electric-bicycle-market-to-grow-by-usd-204-5-million-from-2024-2028--driven-by-traffic-congestion-report-on-ai-driven-market-transformation--technavio-302324238.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

MUMBAI: Investigations by the cyber crime branch of the Mumbai police into the data leak at HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd has revealed that the e-mails and messages threatening to leak their customer data, had been sent from Thailand. The police said they have identified the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the sender and will soon send a Letter Rogatory (LR), requesting assistance from Thai authorities. “When we wrote to various agencies to get details of the senders, we learnt that the data was downloaded in Thailand. The emails and messages, too, were sent from that country,” said a police officer. “We have narrowed down on the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the sender and will soon issue a Letter Rogatory (LR) seeking co-operation from Thai authorities to get more details about the accused.” The case was registered on November 21, under sections 308(3) (extortion) and 351 (4) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000, after HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd lodged a complaint, claiming unknown cyber frauds had stolen their customer data and were demanding money by threatening to leak the same. “On November19, the company received e-mails stating that the company’s customer data had been breached. The sender gave two days to contact him for negotiations, threatening to sell the data if the company failed to do so,” said a police officer. “Details of 99 customers were attached to the mails. The leaked data contained names, policy numbers, addresses, and mobile numbers of customers.” The company received more mails and messages on November 20 and 21. One such message read: “If you choose to negotiate, it goes without saying that this will prevent you from suffering losses of hundreds of billions of rupees in terms of customer data leakage, reputation, stock market and regulatory pressure.” After the company confirmed with the help of experts that the sender was a hacker and was trying to blackmail the company, it decided to approach the police and, also, inform the regulatory authorities. In a disclosure to the stock exchanges, the company wrote: “We wish to inform that we have received communication from an unknown source, who has shared certain data fields of our customers with us, with malafide intent. We value the data privacy of our customers and, as an immediate measure, we have initiated an information security assessment and data log analysis. A detailed investigation is underway in consultation with information security experts to assess the root cause and take remedial action, as necessary.”Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talk

Mike Tyson , 58, is embroiled in a €1.46 million ($1.59 million) lawsuit after allegedly breaching an agreement with a gambling promotional company by fighting 27-year-old Jake Paul in November . The lawsuit was filed by Medier, a media company promoting gambling brand Rabona, accusing Tyson of failing to honor a deal signed with the Cyprus-based business in January. The legal action was initiated at London's High Court in October, prior to the fight. Tyson and his fighting venture Tyrannic are said to have reneged on their agreement with Medier in March, citing a breach of their own. The fight against Paul , initially scheduled for July 20, was announced on the same day. Jake Paul trolls Tommy Fury after old rival pulled out of Darren Till fight Tyson Fury going into 'destroy mode' against Oleksandr Usyk as plan emerges Paul emerged victorious over Tyson by unanimous decision at the A&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas on November 15, before a crowd exceeding 73,000 spectators. In the lawsuit, Medier argues that their actions did not warrant a breach and Tyson's abrupt exit resulted in €1.46 million in damages. "The true reason for Mr Tyson and Tyrannic's hasty and unlawful termination was because Mr. Tyson had agreed [to] a deal, sponsored by Netflix, to fight the influencer Jake Paul," stated Medier and their legal team. Tyson and Tyrannic have yet to formally respond to the lawsuit but are expected to file a defense in the near future. Both parties were contacted for comment by the Mirror U.S. Despite the fight's lack of powerful punches and numerous streaming delays, it proved to be a significant commercial success for Netflix . The media behemoths announced that streaming "peaked at 65 million concurrent streams watching around the world, with 38 million concurrent streams in the United States," according to a Netflix press release. READ MORE: Reason behind Mike Tyson's odd glove biting in Jake Paul fight emerges Tyson Fury cuts off Oleksandr Usyk with fierce promise during face off Sydney Thomas shares message from Jake Paul she received at Tyson fight Paul reportedly pocketed a $40 million purse while Tyson took home $20 million. The earnings were slightly skewed because A) Paul promoted the fight and B) his large social-media following. The fight was also peppered with ads for sports betting company Draftkings. "This is one of those situations when you lost but still won," Tyson penned on X a day after the bout. "I'm grateful for last night. No regrets to get in [the] ring one last time." "I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won," he added. "To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you."Tottenham return to Southampton on Sunday for the first time since Antonio Conte’s explosive post-match rant, but current boss Ange Postecoglou has not lost any of his determination to succeed at the club. Conte’s last public act as Spurs head coach after a 3-3 draw at St Mary’s in 2023 was to launch a furious tirade against his own “selfish” players who he claimed “don’t want to play under pressure” before he seemed to turn on the board as he questioned the club’s ongoing trophy drought. Eight days later Conte had left Tottenham by mutual consent after a whirlwind 16-month period, with Postecoglou his eventual permanent successor. Postecoglou has been in charge of the Premier League club for two months longer than the Italian , but managed 12 fewer matches and is currently in the middle of an injury crisis which has resulted in a drop in form, with Spurs only able to claim one victory from their last eight fixtures. However, when Postecoglou was asked if he would jump ship in the wake of making remarks like Conte did in March, 2023, he said: “Look, I don’t think it’s fair to comment. “Antonio is a world-class manager and has his own way of doing things, his own reasons for doing that. “I am here, I am in for the fight. I am in a fight, for sure. For better or worse I am not going anywhere at the moment because everything is still in my power and my responsibility. “I still have a real desire to get us through this stage so that people see what is on the other side. My resolve and determination hasn’t wavered one little bit. “I love a fight, I love a scrap, I love being in the middle of a storm when everyone doubts because I know what it is on the other side if you get through it. My job is to get through it.” Postecoglou was Celtic boss when Conte’s extraordinary 10-minute press conference made waves around the world, but acknowledged being aware of his predecessors’ comments and attempted to explain the psyche behind why a manager would make such a move. “I was on Planet Earth at that time, and yes I was well aware of it,” Postecoglou smiled. “I think you know when a manager gets to that point that there’s obviously some underlying issues. “I think most of the time when managers do that they’re trying to get a reaction, trying to get some sort of impact on the team. “In difficult moments, what you want from your leaders is action rather than inaction of just letting things drift along. He did it to try and get a positive impact on the group, one way or another. We’ve all been in that situation as a manager where you feel this is time to send a message.” Postecoglou sent out his own message on Thursday after a 1-1 draw away to Rangers when he insisted Timo Werner’s display “wasn’t acceptable” at Ibrox. Werner was replaced at half-time following an error-strewn performance, but was not alone in being below-par in Glasgow. A day later Postecoglou explained how with Spurs missing several key first-teamers, the onus is on their fit senior players to deliver a level of application and commitment – and admitted Werner will be required at St Mary’s on Sunday. “I’ve got no choice. Who else am I going to play? I’m pulling kids out of school, I literally am,” Postecoglou mentioned in reference to 16-year-old duo Malachi Hardy and Luca Williams-Barnett, who have recently made the bench. “That was the reasoning for me pointing it out last night. We need Timo. We need all of them. “In normal times if you have a poor game, there’s a price to pay. It doesn’t exist right now. We need everybody we’ve got.”NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to top the all-time high it set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, or 0.3%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6% as Microsoft and Big Tech led the way.

No. 24 UCLA, Arizona have first reunion since Pac-12 daysBEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement issued late Saturday, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians.” They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; and Josef Federman and Victoria Eastwood in Doha, Qatar, contributed to this report.

The Washington Commanders put kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve Tuesday, just over 48 hours since he missed an extra point that would have tied the score with 21 seconds left against Dallas. Seibert also missed a field-goal attempt and another extra point in the loss to the Cowboys. He missed the previous two games with a right hip injury but said afterward he was fine and made the decision to play.

Munster captain Tadhg Beirne cut a frustrated figure after his side lost out to Castres in the pool stages of the European Champions Cup at Stade Pierre-Fabre on Friday night. Despite former Connacht back-row Abraham Papali’i and Quentin Walcker crossing the whitewash for the hosts - who are coached by former Ireland international Jeremy Davidson - Munster were just three points adrift (10-7) at half-time in France following a converted try from openside flanker John Hodnett. The visitors did edge in front when Jack Crowley added the bonuses to another Hodnett five-pointer, but with Louis Le Bruin knocking over a penalty to supplement an earlier place-kick from Jeremy Fernandez, Castres swung the pendulum back in their favour. Munster were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the contest, but after Crowley failed to find touch from distance, Ian Costello’s men were forced to settle for a losing bonus point. “It was pretty frustrating. It was there for us to win it, we had ample opportunities. We had an extra man for the majority part of the game [Castres picked up three yellow cards over the course of the action], but we just couldn’t score the tries. When we got inside their ‘22’, we let ourselves down with a lot of silly errors,” Beirne remarked when speaking to Premier Sports after the game. “Whether it was forward passes, knock ons in the line-out, poor line-out calls from myself. Just a number of errors, giving away penalties and credit to Castres. They got dominance in the scrum and they started to take hold of the game there. We had an opportunity at the end there, but that is the way sport goes.” Although they remain firmly in contention to progress in the competition, their defeat to Castres is a set-back for Munster in their bid to secure a top-two finish in Pool 3 – which would grant them a home tie in the Champions Cup Round of 16. For those who finish third and fourth in the pool stages, they will face an away fixture in the last-16 of Europe’s top-tier. On January 11 and 18 respectively in the new year, Munster will face tricky European assignments against English Premiership outfits Saracens (home) and Northampton Saints. Before then, however, the Reds will switch their focus to a busy schedule in the United Rugby Championship. Next Friday evening will see them taking on Ulster at Kingspan Stadium in the URC and Beirne acknowledged that he and his Munster team-mates will need to get themselves back in the right frame of mind for a tough interprovincial clash against Richie Murphy’s northerners. “We’re just going to have to regroup, dust ourselves off. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We’ll be hugely disappointed with that, but we’ll have to dust ourselves off like I said. It’s a tough place to go up in Ulster too, no different to here. A few lads with knocks, hopefully nothing serious, and we’ll go again next week,” Beirne added.