Downey sets his sights on Irish jersey as reputation grows
Ethan Downey leaves his breakaway companions for dust when he launched his race-winning attack with 17 miles to go in the Mid-Ulster GP (Photos with thanks to Shea Gribbon)
By Brian Canty
Ethan Downey took another solo victory at the weekend when he blitzed more experienced competition at the Mid-Ulster GP, promoted by Harps CC.
The 17-year-old Clann Eireann CC man started with the A3 bunch that was given a small handicap over the A2 and A1 men.
He tried to start with the A2 category but his request was declined, as per Cycling Ireland rules.
“I wasn’t really expecting anything as I was only back from Spain the night before," he said.
"And the only reason I went was because I signed up beforehand. But the legs were actually going alright,” he added.
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A slow start from his group meant the scratch group were on them in no time. And when a seven-rider break escaped he sensed the race slipping away.
“On the second last lap there was a break of about seven riders go up the road," he explained.
“They were getting a bit of a lead so I jumped across and caught them at the bottom of the climb.
"I didn’t think there was any point hanging at the back so I sprinted up the hill past them and nobody was on my wheel.”
That was with some 17 miles to go so he still had work to do. But holding steady power he crossed the line solo around half an hour later.
He had over a minute to spare on the next man. Downey has done something very similar on two occasions already this year, so it was no accident.
And now he is setting his sights on a major win in June.
“I’d like to get on the Irish team for the Junior Tour, that would be my main goal," he said. But I’d like to try for a stage win or get up on GC at Rás Dun nan Gall.”
In March Downey took the Derrymacash GP in Lurgan on his own by about 30 seconds.
And last month he claimed the Killylough GP in Scotstown, Co Monaghan; though by a smaller margin.
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