Craig McCarthy is one of the brightest off-road riders in the country and it'll be a proud moment for him and his family when he takes to the start-line in Pont-Chateau, France, this Sunday for the European Cyclocross Championships (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
Irish teenager Craig McCarthy will take a massive step into the unknown this weekend when he, along with JB Murphy (Murphy Surveyors, Kilcullen), represents Ireland in the European Cyclocross Championships - for juniors and U23s - in France.
The rising stars are part of a three-strong Irish team that also includes U23 rider David Conroy (Scott-Eurocycles), one of the most established riders on the domestic scene.
But for young McCarthy it’ll be an especially proud moment as he is still just a first-year junior.
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It will be a massive test, but one he’s not shying away from.
The XMTB McConvey Cycles man only turned 16-years-old in July and has been an ever-present fixture in the results on the home scene.
In fact, he is a multiple national and Ulster champion in both mountain bike and cyclocross and tutored by his dad Lance – another very accomplished rider.
Such is McCarthy jnr's dedication that he’s had to cancel a work experience placement he had pencilled in for this week.
“I was supposed to be going to the army barracks but I rang up the school and said ‘I have to go to France to the European Championships’.
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"They said ‘that should be good enough work experience for you’.”
McCarthy wants to be the best he can be on the bike and was delighted when news came through a fortnight ago of his selection to ride for Ireland.
“I’m delighted to be picked, my dad came into the room and he was so happy for me," he said.
"I’ve been doing it for years and years now; every year really.
“I’m starting to do some road racing next year but I’m more of a mountain-biker and cyclocross rider.”
Craig said he has a lot to thank his dad for and it was he who first introduced him to cycling over nine years ago.
“He always wanted to be a professional so I got into him through him," he explained.
"He introduced me to it and I got really good at it. I’m hoping to achieve a lot this weekend, even if that is just to master the race-prep and work as hard as I can.”
He travelled over to France on Wednesday night by boat with his teammates after which they had a three hour drive.
Andy Layhe and Josh Murray will assist them this weekend, but sadly for Lance, he won’t be travelling. Not this time anyway.
Murphy and McCarthy are in action on Sunday at 11am local time, 10am Irish time. Conroy is off Saturday, with the time to be confirmed.
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