Fintan Ryan on winning Crit Champs: I knew positioning would be key

*Fintan Ryan on his way to his first elite title on the road at the National Criterium Championships in Tynagh, Co Galway, last night (All photos by Toby Watson)*

Fintan Ryan has said because his track form was very good of late he decided to try and use it to win the National Criterium Championships last night.

The Kingspan
Track Team man arrived at the championships in Tynagh, Co Galway, determined
that he or one the Wicklow-based riders he trains with would take the gold.

And so it came to
pass; Ryan stepped up on the last lap of the very right Pallas karting track to
unleash his gallop to win.

While he had
taken a great stage win at the Tour of Ulster earlier this year, and with it
the pink race leader’s jersey, he said last night’s win was bigger.

Indeed, he believed it was his best victory on the road since he became national junior road racing champion.

He claimed last night's gold ahead of Luke Smith (BioRacer-DHL-FRS) and Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles).

*Ryan keeps an eye on eventual bronze medal winner Darnell Moore (left) and last year's crit champion Dillon Corkery, who claimed team gold last night (Photo: Toby Watson)*

*Luke Smith on his way to silver last night*

*Darnell Moore won bronze to add to his Ulster crit title (Photo: Toby Watson)*

On the track he’s
been elite kilo champion, has won the Irish madison title, the scratch race
crown, the madison title.

However, despite
having so many Irish titles, he said winning last night really pleased him.

“The race was
active from the start,” he said of a very fast event run off on an unusually
tight court.

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“There
lots of strong Bioracer-DHL lads
making the racing as well as the
likes of Darnell Moore, Angus Fyffe, Lindsay Watsons,
Richie Maes and a few more.

“With the circuit being like a miniature Mondello,
the lads from our Wicklow chaingang
and I were all well prepped to take a good result.

“Between three of
them - Luke Kearney, Cian Keogh
and David Conroy - they've won the last four Mondellos. So I knew one of us would be on the
podium.

“But I'm delighted that I'll have the bragging rights on the coffee spins now,” he said, adding he minded himself carefully in the early stages last night.

*Ryan got ahead in the final corners and won it well in the end (Photo: Toby Watson)*

*Conor Hennebry leads from Corkery, Ryan and Lindsay Watson (Photo: Toby Watson)*

“I just
wanted to stay out of trouble for most of it but I still had few close calls,” he explained.

“I made a
few attacks and followed a few moves but the circuit didn't favour a breakaway.

“I knew
positioning would be key in the last
four bends and I felt strong all
race. So I kept my powder dry to put myself in the best place possible coming into the last bend.

“After
that it was just about getting a big sprint out and making sure I didn't lie
down as I'm not used to right turns,”
he added of being more used to the velodrome.

“In the end I was
delighted to take it. I’ve been feeling good on the track lately and
thought I might have a chance.

“But I really was very happy to take the
win ahead of some seriously talented
riders in the race.”