James Davenport and Charlie Prendergast fight for the win at the Cycleways Cup. There's a huge gap back to the rest of the breakaway, which Philip Lavery was policing (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Things looking good for James Davenport on several fronts
By Graham Gillespie
James Davenport has attributed his strong form so far this season to new coaching and a new training plan.
The Strata 3-VeloRevolution rider won the Cycleways Cup in County Meath yesterday.
That continued his good start to the season, having previously taken 4th place finish at the Des Hanlon and ridden very strongly at Rás Mumhan.
The final year physiotherapy student had to ease off on his training regime for a while to focus on his studies.
However, he has recently started working with the Hup Hup coaching team in Dublin. They’ve helped him implement new training, which appears to be working.
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"I suppose things are more hectic than they have ever been as regards to life outside the bike,” he said of training now beginning to move into the workplace.
“I just came off an eight-week block on clinical placement in Vincents and one in Naas" he said.
"My training was mostly weekends, and a couple of turbos and rapid training; you know just trying to fit it in where I could because college took priority.
"But towards the latter end of that placement block, I decided to go with a bit of coaching with Hup Hup,” he explained.
Davenport leads Ben Walsh and Lavery; the race winner said having such an experienced team mate with him was crucial.
Getting the two hands up in victory on the finish line having sprinted through the line to make sure of his win (Photos: SeanRowe)
Gavin Noble, the first man to represent Ireland in triathlon at the Olympics, is a key figure at the Hup Hup coaching agency.
“They run out of the Base 2 Race Bike Shop there in Tallaght, and the lads there started giving me a program".
Davenport believes this has enabled him to be "smarter" on the bike.
"I've done a little bit of lab testing to find out where my strengths and weaknesses lay, and I started addressing those a bit more.
"I'm just trying to ride as smart as I can, but at the same time ride as efficiently as I can within the bunch. And I'm also trying to read the race better"
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The recent inclement weather has also afforded Davenport the opportunity to spend more time in the saddle.
"What really triggered it was the snow. It gave me an opportunity to train a bit more because the work placement got cancelled; I couldn’t get in and out of the hospital.
"So, while most people probably saw it as a hindrance to their training, it was an opportunity for me to get more done.
“I was on the turbo out in the shed and getting the miles in without having to worry about sacrificing something else for it."
Riding the Suir Valley Three Day on the Leinster team back in 2014; Davenport now looks to be going as good as ver (Photo: John Coleman)
Speaking about yesterday's victory, Davenport said having his teammate Philip Lavery in the breakaway was crucial.
"He kept my head in the game, I suppose, and told me to stay cool. He was making sure I wasn't following every little move that was made" he explained.
The key point of the race was when Castlebar CC Charles Prendergast attacked with 25 kilometres to go.
Davenport got across to Prendergast and beat him in a sprint after working well together in the final kilometres of the race.
"We had a great gap because Philip was doing a great job behind, covering any moves and nullifying anything that tried to get across to us.
"Me and Charlie then were able to work well together. We rode honestly to the finish line and settled it at finish".
Davenport also had an eventful Rás Mumhan where he got into numerous breakaways but says he has some "regrets" with how the four days panned out for him.
"I gave the race everything and I think was in every break that was going. But I had nothing to show for it at the end of the day unfortunately".
Davenport has ambition for the rest of the season, but he was quick to point out that he is focused on finishing his college work first.
Getting sponsored by Pinergy also means that he will have more free time which can be used to commit to the saddle.
"I did the Mizen to Malin head charity cycle last year, and I got involved with Pinergy who were helping to organise the charity event.
"And just through being involved with that, they wanted to support me on the bike. Their support has allowed me to not have to work while studying so that means I can train more.
"They’ve helped me out with the ‘Pinergy passions programme’. It’s an an initiative to help those passionate about their sports, whatever the level.
“It means I don't have to maintain a part time job and can focus on the things I'm passionate about. Like cycling and getting my degree in physiotherapy.”
The Rás, Tour of Ulster, the National Series and all the major one-day races are the main items on Davenport's hitlist for the rest of the year.
"I going to give the season a good go and give it a full whack."
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