Having plied his trade abroad in recent years – based in Monaco and with EvoPro Racing last year – Daire Feeley yesterday took his first victory for four years.
Feeley said it was an “emotional” moment and that he was
loving being back racing and living in Ireland again after his win at the
Seamus Kennedy Memorial yesterday.
At the end of the contest it came down to a three-way
scrap between three quality campaigners; Feeley, Charlie Prendergast (Dan
Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo) and Marc Potts (Caldwell Cycles).
Feeley got the better of them in the dash to the line to
get his first domestic season for four years off to a flying start.
He had been runner-up to Prendergast on Saturday at the Mick Lally Memorial, also in Co Meath.
Now back on the home scene with Strata 3-VeloRevolution,
Feeley could do some serious damage this year and should be full of confidence
after his performances over the weekend.
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“That was hard,” was his short and to
the point verdict after winning yesterday’s race, promoted by Navan Road Club.
“Attacks went from the gun and a group
of 12 of us got away. We rode hard for a lap and then the attacking started.”
The really big move went clear on the
penultimate lap, when Prendergast took it up and surge forward decisively.
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That move dragged clear what proved to
be the winning move; Feeley and Potts going with him.
“They are two honest lads they worked
hard,” said Feeley of his two winning breakaway companions.
“We started attacking each other with a
lap to go but none of us could get away. The two boys were very strong I
wouldn't have been surprised if I finished 3rd.
“But I played my cards right and got the
hop on them early on the run into the finish. It was hard day out, there's a
good level in Ireland at the moment I'm very surprised to be honest.”
Feeley said while he had now several seasons of international racing under his belt, including riding races such as Tour de l’Avenir with the Irish team, he was still tested yesterday.
And he said he expected that to continue through the rest
of his first season back racing at home. But he had no regrets about the move
back.
“It's been four years since I've won a
race and a win is a win and none of them ever come easy,” he said.
“I'm delighted to get the ball rolling
early and get a scalp on two quality riders. It's a big change from a 1.1 in
Belgium but it doesn’t mean it comes easy.
“I have other areas in my life I can
focus on now that were neglected the past number of years. It's nice to have a
life away from cycling at times.
“I love travelling to races with my Dad
every weekend that tops winning any race.”
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