Dion McCarthy, leading, getting stuck in during the Michael Shields Memorial Race in Broadford, Co Limerick recently. The talented first year junior is one of several who can really challenge the best of them in his age category this season (Photo with thanks to Maura Lynch Moriarty)
Dion McCarthy is one of a number of very promising junior riders emerging on the scene this year after a number of stellar seasons in the underage categories.
The Corkman, riding for top Belgian club team Zannata Lotto, is setting himself some lofty targets this year, which include riding the European and World Championships as well as the Junior Tour on the Irish team.
And he's leaving no stone unturned in his quest to achieve those goals.
The 16-year-old outlines a recent training week for us here. And it involves training every day of the week, prior to back-to-back races on the weekend.
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- Name: Dion McCarthy
- Team: Zannata Lotto Cycling Team Menen
- Date of birth: 18th November 1998
- Weight & height: 6ft, 72.5kg
Training goals this time of year
Building a base and bringing in some efforts to get the speed back in my legs.
My main part of my season is end of July and August. And if I get selected for the World Championships, September also.
So I'm mainly doing longer steadier miles, I don't want to peak now.
General goals for the year
I want to ride with Ireland in the Junior Tour, European Championships and World Championships.
I'd like to win some races on the Irish scene and abroad.
McCarthy’s experience of racing and training abroad against the best in his age group should definitely stand to him this year as he makes the step up to the junior category. Above, riding with the FBD Talent Team 2020 last year.
Monday
An hour easy, just spinning the legs because it was a recovery day. I did some stretching and core work for half an hour before bed.
Tuesday
I do a two-hour turbo session very specifically working off heart rate with efforts. I go to the gym with some friends too for an hour.
McCarthy is regarded as a great sprinter who can also ride hard during races and is not afraid to do so.
Wednesday
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I do 3.5 hours with sprints at the end of the ride and 6 x 2-minute efforts between hours 2 and 3. I do 30 minutes core and stretching again before bed.
Thursday
Same as Tuesday; two-hour turbo session very specifically working off heart rate with efforts and one-hour gym.
Friday
One hour easy with three activation sprints in preparation for the races at the weekend. This is just to get the legs going. I do 30 minutes core and stretching too before bed.
McCarthy may only be in his first weeks in the junior ranks but he has very firm plans involving riding major championships this year in the green of Ireland.
Saturday
I raced in Broadford, Co Limerick. I followed a lot of moves but nothing was sticking.
A break of seven riders went away and I was going across but couldn't make the last 10 seconds.
I sat up and went back to the bunch. I led out the bunch sprint and was third in the gallop and first unplaced junior so I was happy with it and it was a good training day; 80 kilometres in two hours.
Sunday
I went to Navan to the Cycleways Cup. This was the coldest day I've ever been on the bike.
It was snowing for the first hour and I didn't bring the right kit for the conditions.
The second hour wasn't so bad. I was following moves and attacking but NRPT-Magnet.ie had the race under control and it was hard to do anything with them and Lucan also controlling matters.
Coming into the bunch sprint it got a bit hairy so I sat up and finished mid-bunch.
I was using my cousin’s wheels and my brother’s bike so I don't think it would go down too well if I crashed and done damage. It was a nice race; another two hours and 80km done.
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