By Shane Stokes
Odhran Doogan finished day one of the Rás Tailteann in a fine third place overall but can take encouragement from more than just that GC position.
Seventh over the line on Wednesday, the Cycling Ulster rider ended the day five seconds behind the winner and first race leader Tim Shoreman (UK Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli).
He’s level on time with the rider in second place, Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling), and is right at the business end of things. But the nature of his performance is only hinted at by his GC result.
Doogan was part of an eight man breakaway which moved clear around the halfway point, and which stayed out front until inside the final 25km.
He won the Kilnaleck prime and collected a total of six bonus seconds when he was first to the line in the Crossdoney and Mohill hot spot sprints.
And while the breakaway was caught inside the final 25km, he had enough left in the tank to take that seventh place. Indeed he believes he may have done better again had things played out a little better in the finale.
“We were up the road maybe an hour and a half or so,” he told stickybottle. “I think the biggest gap we had was two minutes. At that stage I thought we just might get to the line. But it came down quite quick in the last 40 or 50K, and got caught with 20K to go, I think.”
Doogan continued: “I was feeling pretty good. I was wanting the boys to ride a bit harder, but unfortunately we just got caught in the end. I still had good legs for the finish, but just positioning-wise got caught out in the last corner. That cost me a bit.”
Taking seventh after being out front for so long is a very promising sign, and one which will raise his expectations for the days to come.
“I’m definitely happy with the form. I can’t complain,” he said.
“There are better guys in the team for GC”
Doogan wasn’t the only Irish rider in the move. Also present was Conn McDunphy and Ronan O’Connor (both USA Team Skyline), as well as the Britons Peter Cocker (DAS Richardsons), Danylo Riwnyi (Foran CT) and Aaron King (Wheelbase / Cabtech / Castelli).
The American Owen Wright (Canel’s Java), plus the German Robin Fischer (Team Storck-Metropol Cycling) also added to the momentum.
Who in that move was going well?
“I think everyone, to be fair,” he said. “That is why I was actually surprised we got caught. I thought we would go to the line, because it was quite a strong move.”
Doogan has performed well in the Rás in the past. He made his debut in 2022 when, as an 18 year old, he took a fine second into Kilbeggan.
He was also third into Cahir last year and finished fourth overall in the best young rider classification.
Now 21, he is gaining strength and aiming high. However despite sitting third overall on Wednesday afternoon, he played down any general classification ambitions.
“I think my ambitions would be more a stage win than GC,” he said. “There are better guys on the team for the GC. So I will be looking for the stage win, hopefully.”
His fine performance on Wednesday will only add to his motivation and self-belief. “I can’t complain,” he smiled. “The form is there.”
