Bryan McCrystal has been working more on running and swimming than in recent seasons and so goes into the Rás a little under the radar, despite a great stage win at Rás Mumhan (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
One of the heroes of last year’s An Post Rás has said he’s not in the same condition going into the race this year but believes he could find form a few days in.
Dundalk man Bryan McCrystal was one of a few county men to animate the race in 2015 and his stage two breakaway ride will be talked about for many years to come.
That he was denied a famous win is something he’s long gotten over and instead, his thoughts are focussed on next week’s showdown.
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“I’m okay, not bad but not great,” was his assessment of what shape he’s in now.
“The road wasn’t my main focus this year but because the team has suffered injuries and sickness I was drafted into the Rás team.”
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McCrystal leads the breakaway at the recent Tour of Ulster. He says he is not going as well as last year on the bike but should come into his own as the Rás progresses (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Tour of Ulster)
Indeed, Chris Reilly had been in the team’s original plan but after he crashed and injured his hand at the Waller Cup in Bohermeen some weeks ago his Rás plans were scuppered.
“I’m doing a lot of running and swimming so I’ve taken a fair few beatings on the road this season,” continued McCrystal, who is the new face of the Euros 2016 Mustard Seed Sportive.
“But in saying that, I’ve knocked the running on the head since the Tour of Ulster and I feel I’m coming good again.
“The Shay Elliott was okay for me, I was in the mix but I faded.
"I think, for the Rás, I might need a few days to get going but I should be okay maybe in the latter half of the week.”
McCrystal has broken the Irish IronMan record twice since the end of last year's road season and more recently won the Irish duathlon title. He's plugged into the tri game a bit more this season so goes into the Rás a bit more of an unknown quantity in terms of how his road legs are. But he'll probably go better than ever.
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