"A lot will come down to team work at the Vets' Champs; thankfully I'm in a strong squad"

Keith Gater leads the winning escape yesterday before taking flight with team mate Dylan Foley and Eddie Barry (Photo: Dave Coleman - Dc Images)

By Brian Canty

Keith Gater took his first win of 2014 at the Cyclesports-sponsored Dungarvan GP in County Waterford yesterday, with the Aquablue man now setting his sights firmly on the National Vets Championships on Saturday week.

Judging by his performance yesterday, Gater should be in the mix in Mullingar. But he says there are “10 or 15” riders who are capable of winning it.

“We’ll take it as it comes,” he told stickybottle of the title race.

“I’ll try to be in the mix but I certainly won’t count my chickens. The racing in Ireland has become very team-orientated and we’re fortunate that we’ve a strong one.

“I’ll have Timmy (Barry) and Joe (Fenlon) so it doesn’t matter which one of us is up there - as long as one of us is.”

Gater added he knew he had good form yesterday and believed he could win right from the start. The base miles he has accumulated while training for the An Post Rás have stood to him, while the event itself has sharpened him up.

“When you’re training for the Rás you sometimes have to sacrifice Sunday races to get the miles in, so you’re not fresh going into races,” he said on why he has not won before now.

“The break formed early yesterday, there was a lot of attacking the first time up the hill and within five kilometres the move was gone and we held on all the way to the line.”

Indeed, with most of the teams represented – Mark Dowling (DID Dunboyne) made a brave bid to bridge – the racing soon settled down and on the first of three laps the escapees had 1’10”.

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“Dowling came out of the bunch but I knew he wouldn’t get across if he didn’t get to us by the top of that first lap,” said winner Gater.

“We rode very hard to make sure we stayed away and a good few missed the move; Eoin Morton and Paidi O’Brien and a few more. But I was fairly confident my teammates would keep a tight rein on things behind and let no one escape.

“The gap went up to 1’50” on the second lap and we pushed it over the top and then the attacks started.”

He said he combined well with team mate Dylan Foley in constantly attacking and when the latter got clear, Gater bridged across with Eddie Barry, making it three up front and six behind.

“We really put the hammer down, Eddie rode very honestly but he was always outnumbered. So when I attacked with two kilometres to go I thought he might follow me and Dylan would get the win. But I put in a good strong attack and stayed away.

“I came out of the Rás in good form, and I knew I was going okay but it’s always great to get a win. With us in the team, it’s all about teamwork. When the others up the road I’m working and vice versa.”