Having won the Laragh Classic in Co Wicklow last weekend, Keith Gater goes into the National Vets' Road Race Championships tipped to shape, and perhaps win, the race (Photo: Karen M Edwards)
By Brian Canty
Keith Gater is one of the favourites for tomorrow’s rescheduled National Vets’ Road Race Championships in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath. But the Aquablue man believes it will not be a simple shootout between himself and UCD CC’s Greg Swinand.
Gater has really come into form of late and underlined that with a brilliant win in the Laragh Classic last weekend, having spent most of the day in the break with teammate Damien Shaw and UCD CC’s Sean McKenna.
“Obviously Greg is in great form and is really targeting this and is the one to beat,” explained the Waterford man.
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“You’re going to have Hugh (Mulhearne of Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers); he’s in good form coming off the track. And there’s a few others there as well who won’t be far away.
“So I think it’s going to be a very competitive and open race and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I love the look of the course; a real racing course and it’ll wear people down. The fellas who have trained properly will definitely be there at the end.”
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And he believes last weekend’s day-long effort out front has him in the best shape possible for the 114-kilometre showdown.
“Definitely last week sharpened me; being up there in the break with Damien and Sean all day. It was a hard race and really brought me on.
“Damien was great; he did a lot for me to get the win. We wore out Sean and that allowed me take it in the finish. It was a hard day but it really sharpened me.
“I had to take a break in the summer after (the vets’ road championships) were cancelled originally, because it’s very hard to keep going and be on form for it again. So I had to take a few weeks off but I’m reset now and I feel fresh enough.”
Gater had plenty of time to celebrate his first win of the season at the Dungarvan GP in June and added the Laragh Classic to his palmares last weekend. Don’t bet against the men in blue tomorrow (Photo: Dave Coleman - Dc Images)
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