Brammeier fuels up with bottles at the Tour of Qatar earlier this year
By Brian Canty
Matthew Brammeier is aiming to become the first man ever to win three Irish National senior road-race titles in-a-row today when he heads a star-studded field in Clonmel for the 168 kilometre one-day event.
Liverpool-born Brammeier declared for Ireland some years ago as it afforded him better opportunities as a track rider but since then, his focus has switched to the road and he’s now riding with one of the biggest teams in the world; the Belgian-based Omega Pharma QuickStep team.
Recently overlooked for Olympic selection, a decision that has angered the 26-year-old, he admits he’s excited about today’s title race but still sees the event as “just another race.”
“Everything’s good, everything’s going as I planned and my condition is good and I’m healthy so I’m just excited to get going.
Advertisement
Related News
Asked about the significance of the three-in-a-row he deadpans, “To be honest I’m not really one for chasing records, it would be nice to ride the rest of the year in the (national champion’s) jersey and that always gives me motivation. But as always, it’s just another race for me and I’m just treating it like another race.”
Last year was the closest race in history with half a tyre width separating Brammeier from fellow World Tour professional Dan Martin and though some would suggest the latter deserved it, Brammeier is in no doubt strength is no match for strategy.
“I wouldn’t say Dan was really the cleverest guy last year, he raced like 10 men and he tried to drop everyone so it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how to beat him. So I just rode a sensible race and used my head and I’ve won the race twice that way.”
“There’s a few of the other guys who really want to win also, so, for me, it’s [about] them bringing the race to me. I won’t bring the race to them. I’m fast in the finish as well so [can win that way].”
Along with Brammeier, Nicolas Roche is sure to mount a formidable challenge having just scored a top 10 overall at the Tour of Switzerland while Pro Continental rider Philip Deignan is always a dark horse, as are promising U23 riders Philip Lavery (Node 4 Giordana) and Sam Bennett (An Post Sean Kelly).
Said the latter, “It hasn’t been long since the Rás and after two podium finishes there it would be great to win the senior event in Clonmel this weekend. All the big names like Roche and Brammeier will be back so it’s going to be difficult but I’m confident in my ability and anything can happen on the day.”
Racing gets underway in Clonmel at noon with the riders covering nine laps of an 18.6 kilometre lap which features two climbs.
Topics
