Having enjoyed a stellar season last year when he won a series of races and gained international selection, worrying times set in for Cathir Doyle.
Now 12 months on from the onset of
an illness that seriously impacted his health, the Irish teenager has returned
to winning ways.
He has decamped to Belgium with some
of the other top Irish juniors from the home scene for a period of
international kermesse racing.
He drew a line through his troubled
times with a fantastic lone victory last week in Kooigem, West Flanders.
The Powerhouse Sport rider followed
that up days later by riding away from the opposition with compatriot Kevin
McCambridge for a 1-2 in Flemish Brabant.
Doyle’s win in Kooigem followed on from victory in the same race 12 months earlier. But behind the scenes the troubles he endured during that year really tested him.
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He fell ill last August after
returning from Belgium. Initially the illness was something of a mystery,
though was eventually attributed to a virus.
Any form of strenuous activity was
ruled out until he underwent a range of tests and was reviewed after six
months; such was the strength of the virus that hit him.
Finally two months ago he was given
the all clear to resume his racing; Doyle wasting no time getting back to it.
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With no racing done, he had no
results that would merit a place on the national team again at the Junior Tour
of Ireland, where he wore the green of Ireland climbers jersey last year.
Instead, he rode as a guest of the
O’Leary Stone Kanturk team, getting some solid racing into his legs.
He says Irish junior coach Martin
O’Loughlin and his Powerhouse Sport team offered endless support and help while
he was on the sidelines.
Now relieved to be back in full
health and going well on the bike, he says he is just thankful to put a
difficult period behind him.
“Winning last week was more of a
relief for me than anything else because it showed me that I’m capable of
holding my own against good riders again,” he said.
“It was good to win after being sick
because with my season last year, I had hoped to have a good season this year
again, especially with national teams.
“Missing selection this year has
been a difficult thing for me. But I just have been consoling myself with the
knowledge that if I hadn’t been sick I would be on the teams.
“All in all I’m just focusing on
enjoying the bike at the minute, hence the trip to Belgium.
“And I’m looking forward to hitting
the reset button this winter for a good season in 2020.”
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