Though track racing is something Harvey Barnes (leading) is clearly suited to, the East Tyrone CC man said his big focus will be on the road this year. Yesterday he won his fifth race of the season and is now setting his sights firmly on a place in the national junior team. (Photo credit: Tommy Heaney)
By Brian Canty
Harvey Barnes put his name in the frame for selection for the Irish team at the Scott Junior Tour of Ireland next month by winning the Emma McMullan road race promoted by Dromara CC yesterday.
The 17 year-old proved his class by winning the gallop from a strong field of A2/A3 and junior riders.
And though he has his A levels later this month, he’s optimistic of holding his form to be in the shake-up for national selection.
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“I'm really happy with my season so far.
“I started off poorly with little to show over the first three races due to inexperience but I took a lot away from them and I've had five wins and three seconds since then,” he said proudly.
He has already won the Hugo Loughran GP, the Coombes Connor Memorial, the CicliSport GP, the Lucan GP and yesterday he won the Emma McMullan road race.
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“I'd love to hit good form by the national champs and get to represent Ireland in the world road race championships,” he said of his big goals.
The track is also something he’s shown himself well capable of performing in, but he won’t do any more this year.
“I'm was really happy with my results at the track nationals considering I hadn't done any sprint training.
“It’s just something that's naturally there but track sprinting and road racing aren't compatible so I'll not be targeting any more track this season.”
As a first year junior he will face big competition for national selection.
Marc Heaney (NRPT), Conor McCann (ASEA-Wheelworx), Robery O'Leary (Cork-Giant), Jake Gray (NRPT), Xeno Young (Powerhouse Sport), Calvin Moore (Caldwell Cycles Omagh), and Luke Smith (NRPT) are just some of those who are in the reckoning.
He was a reserve for the European Youth Olympics last year but after Conor Gallagher (Castlebar CC) got an infection and made the decision not to go, Barnes was drafted in for his Irish debut.
And though he never got the chance to express himself after being held up by crashes on the day in Tbilisi he is keen to make amends this year.
At the rate he is going, he will get the chance sooner rather than later.
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