John Madden was a thoroughly deserving winner of the national masters 50 race in Kilcullen, though Donal Mahon of Galway Bay CC pushed him to the absolute limit (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
John Madden was among the happiest of men coming out of Kilcullen this afternoon with the Irish masters 50 gold medal safely stowed on the back seat of his car.
The Inspired Cycling man was runner-up to Declan Hanrahan (Carrick Wheelers) last year but went one better this time around.
He escaped late with Donal Mahon of Galway Bay CC and pipped him in the two-up sprint for the line.
“I’m absolutely delighted, I can’t disguise the fact that it’s extra sweet after coming second last year,” he said gleefully.
“It was nice to get away and I must admit, Donal worked well when we broke clear.
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“I was aggressive all day and staying at the front and covering moves but I was being watched, so any time I went everyone was dragging groups across, but with a lap to go the two of us got away.
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“I tried to drop him on the last climb but he was a lightly made-up guy and caught me on the downhill and we came into the finish together.
“I remember thinking ‘here we go, two left handers and a sprint finish, I’m having déjà vu from last year’…”
Alas, Madden took it up early and powered for the line for a win nobody could begrudge him for.
“It just felt fantastic to take the jersey and add it to the time trial from last year.
“It’s my best win on the road. I’m not a natural road racer; I’ve only down two this year because they’re near where I live and they’re on iconic circuits," he said of the Wallace Caldwell Memorial and Red Hand Trophy.
“The road racing is something I stay away from because I work in a school and crashes are synonymous with road racing so I try to reduce the odds of being involved in anything that might put me off work.
“Having said that, I love it, there’s a certain buzz in it you don’t get in testing.
“You don’t get to wipe people’s eyes when you’re putting them to the sword.
“There’s a different feel to it and it’s lovely. It’s my biggest ever win and really sweet and special.”
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