An Post-Sean Kelly’s only new Irish signing for 2012, Sean Downey has said he felt strong on his debut with the team last weekend and is looking to “get stuck in” to the five-day Étoile de Bessèges which he starts in France tomorrow.
The U23 national TT champion said while he climbed well in Sunday’s Grand Prix Cycliste La Marseillaise, he was too far back in the lead group cresting the biggest climb of the day and got distanced in the rain on the descent.
“It was very fast from the start; I knew it was going to be hard so I prepared myself for lots of pain,” he told stickybottle.
“It never let up all day. Once I got settled and got into rhythm I was OK. My lungs were on fire at the start; with the speed and the cold air.”
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“I was sitting in the group nicely and just watching how everything was going. I was getting over all the climbs with the group until we came to the biggest climb (100km into the 148km race).”
“I got to the top of it with the lead group but I was too far back on the downhill and gaps started opening. Riders were going slow down it, so I lost contact with the front.”
“But I’ve learned from that mistake and know now to stay as close to the front as possible. The weather was not great the roads were wet.”
The race was won by Tour de France stage winner Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis), who took victory in a sprint finish from a lead group of 15 riders. Downey came home in a group just over 12 minutes down.
The only other Irishman in the race, Ronan McLaughlin punctured on the final climb and never regained contact, finishing in 69th, some 7:53 down.
Downey will join McLaughlin in the eight-man An Post team for the five-day Étoile de Bessèges which starts tomorrow, Wednesday. They will again pit themselves against some tough opposition, including top French teams like Cofidis and Ag2r.
The race has in the past been marked by bunch sprints, but the early season struggle for racing legs combined with traditionally poor weather and some tricky climbs means it will split in places.
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Downey, a 21-year-old from Lisburn, said he is relishing the opportunity to take in more quality racing again so quickly and seems generally very pleased with his move to his new team.
“I just want to get stuck in again. It’s a totally different feeling this year racing with the big teams compared to the amateur racing; it’s just a new beginning for me again.”
“I’m getting really well looked after in An Post. I was welcomed very warmly and the team spirit from the word go has been great. Everyone is good friends and everyone is having the craic.”
He said the team’s professional set-up, its equipment and the advice and support on hand represents a major change compared with his French team of last year.
While focussed on racing well abroad, Downey said the An Post Ras remains a major goal in the months ahead.
“I’d really like to do well in the Ras because it’s a big race for the team as it’s our big home race. I’d also like to get top three in the national TT champs. In Europe, I just want to win races. I don’t care what they are; a win is a win.”
“It’s hard to get it right all the time targeting (specific) races. So taking them as it comes seems to work better for me. I know by the way I’m feeling a few days before the race if I’m going to do well; so winning some sort of UCI race is a goal for me.”
An Post’s Etoile de Bessèges selection:
Ronan McLaughlin
Sean Downey
Niko Eeckhout
Stijn Ennekens
Pieter Ghyllebert
Gediminas Bagdonas
Mark McNally
Kenneth van Bilsen
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