Matt Brammeier has taken the Irish champion's jersey into some of the biggest races in the world including Paris-Roubaix, above. Few would beat against him taking another title this weekend (Photo: Sirotti)
Riding high after his fantastic victory on the final stage of the ZLM Toer in Holland yesterday, Matt Brammeier is the first big name from the international peloton to be confirmed for the National Road Championships on Sunday.
The MTN Qhubeka man is a five-time Irish elite champion on the road, having won road race gold every year from 2010 to 2013 and taken the time trial title in 2011.
Last year when riding for Continental team Synergy Baku he missed the early breakaway and relinquished the road race title he had held since June 2010 to Ryan Mullen of An Post-Chainreaction.
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Given his success in the event in recent years, Brammeier will go to the line at any National Championships among the hottest of favourites for the rest of his racing days.
But with his form this year to date and especially his win against world class opposition yesterday, he will line out in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on Sunday as the man to beat.
And while Nicolas Roche (Team Sky), Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) and Dan Martin (Cannondale-Garmin) are keeping their powder dry for the Tour de France, which starts just six days after the nationals, Brammeier has won titles in recent years when all three have been in the field.
Brammeier winning the elite title in Clonmel in 2012; his victory salute seen as a protest over his non selection for the London Olympics at the time (Photo: Brendan Slattery)
Philip Deignan (Team Sky), who has never won a medal at a national championships, remains an unknown quantity.
With his place in the Team Sky line-up for the Tour unclear, his participation perhaps hinges on whether he will get the nod for the three-week encounter in France.
But Brammeier will not be too concerned about who will or will not be on Sunday’s start line.
He took his first title in Sligo in 2010 while riding for An Post-Sean Kelly; with Roche 2nd on that occasion and Martin 3rd.
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He then joined HTC-Highroad, enjoying a very strong 2011 season when teamed up with close friend Mark Cavendish, and retained his title in Emyvale, Co Monaghan.
He beat Martin in a tight photo finish, with David McCann (Giant Kenda) in 3rd place. Brammeier also took the time trial crown in Emyvale, seeing off McCann and Michael Hutchinson.
Brammeier has been in fantastic form since the flag dropped at the start of the season. Above, in the escape at the Tour of Flanders.
The champion would be offered an extended contract, for two more years, by HTC Highroad. But when the team collapsed within days he found himself looking for a team.
He joined Quickstep for 2012 and would go to the title race in Clonmel to win; from Roche with Philip Lavery (Node4-Giordana) in 3rd place and taking the U23 title.
Brammeier had a point to prove at those championships as he was fighting his non-selection for the London Olympics at that time.
Having switched to ProContinental Champion System in the off season, he won the title again in Carlingford, Co Louth, in 2013.
Lavery, riding for French outfit AC Bisontine at the time was 2nd, with Damien Shaw, then of Aquablue, landing a blow for the home scene in 3rd place.
While few would bet against Brammeier taking the road race title again on Sunday; he will be very heavily marked. Stickybottle understands he does not place to ride the time trial on Thursday.
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