Robert O’Leary, left, will start as one of the hot favourites for Sunday’s national junior road race championships in Cong, Co. Mayo. The Cork Giant race team man will have the backing of Dillon Corkery and Ronan Tuomey (also pictured) and between them they form a formidable line-up. (Picture: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Robert O’Leary will go into this weekend’s national junior road race championships as one of the outstanding favourites.
The Gorey 3-Day overall winner and Scott Junior Tour of Ireland stage winner has been one of the standout riders on the junior scene this year and with the benefit of a strong team he should push for the title in Cong, Co. Mayo.
Of course, there’s a stacked field for the event which will see the riders tackle a tough 115-kilometre course.
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“The form is good coming off the Junior Tour and the Suir Valley which I was a bit tired for, but I should be all set for this weekend,” said O’Leary confidently.
“I think the race will be similar to how last year’s played out; it’s a tough circuit so I think it will either be one man coming to the line or a small group.”
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Michael O’Loughlin completed a rare double 12 months ago at the same venue – a year after taking silver in both the time-trial and road race.
As one of the really strong ones to watch, O’Leary knows he will have to play his cards right but he doesn’t shy away from the pressure that winning a stage of the Junior Tour will bring.
“It won’t really change how I’ll race; it can be an advantage or a disadvantage in certain situations but with Dillon Corkery and Ronan Tuomey in the team we have one of the strongest teams going into it.
“Any of the three of us are capable of taking the win,” he reckoned.
Aside from that trio, the young Cork Giant race team man believes any number of riders can bring home the gold medal.
Ben Walsh (NRPT), Cameron McIntyre (NRPT) and Cathal Purcell (Panduit Carrick Wheelers) are also capable of winning but Jake Gray (NRPT) has to be given massive respect courtesy of the season he’s having.
“Everyone is one to watch in this race; if we are too concentrated on some of the more established names a group could get away and it's harder to bring it back together when we don’t have someone to push a big gear on the fast parts.
“Having said that, Jake Gray is looking very strong and will be there or thereabouts.”
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