Jake Gray outlines how he added the national junior road race title to a series of one-day victories and stage race wins he had already taken this season (Photo: David McVeigh - The Belgian Project)
By Brian Canty
Jake Gray proved just why he is regarded as the country’s foremost junior rider with a brilliant solo victory at the national championships in Cong, Co. Mayo yesterday.
In much the same way Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) won the elite title last month, Dungannon teenager Gray emulated that win by getting in the early break and leaving his rivals for dead on the final climb before roaring to victory.
The NRPT.ie man was helped by having two teammates in the early move and that was crucial in helping him claim the title.
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“It feels amazing to be the national champ,” he said. “It’ll be nice to pull on the jersey for a few weeks.
“It’s a pity the champs are so late in the year as I’ll only get to wear it for a few weeks but there’s still a few more races left and I’m happy with that.”
As well as winning the road race, the NRPT.ie team also won the team prize thanks to the high placings of their riders. Included here, alongside Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly are Marc Heaney, Aaron Kearney, Gray, Ben Walsh and Luke Smith. (Photo courtsy of Scott Kinsella)
Gray attacked a select group on the final climb yesterday and stormed clear, though that was more accident than design.
“The last 10k I thought I had a very good chance of holding the group off,” he reflected.
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“I kept the power on, I was just praying for no issues the last few kilometres so I’m happy nothing happened.
“It went really well all day. We had three guys in the move and the second time up the (final) climb it was really hard and I gave it quite a dig there.
“I was cautious about Conor McCann (ASEA-Wheelworx) being there because I knew he had a good sprint.
“I wanted to split the group up a bit and when I looked back and the break was in bits.
“I kept pressing on, I didn’t intend to be solo so early.
“But when I went, I went. It was great having the others in the break behind as well; they would have upset the tempo in bringing me back.
“The guys did a great job sitting on the back and slowing it up and it kept their legs fresh as well.”
Gray, an established international on the junior scene is clearly in superb form and looking forward to the remainder of the season and possibly a few more days out in the green of Ireland.
“I have the Junior Tour of Wales in a few weeks,” he said of his programme from now on.
“I’d love to get a stage win there or a good overall result.
“Then selection for the Euros will be coming up so hopefully I’ll get picked for that.
“I feel like at the minute I’m in fantastic form, today was probably the best legs and the best I’ve felt all year.
“So If I got selected for the Euros I really feel like I could do something because I’m coming into shape at this stage of the season, I didn’t go into the season too fussed but I feel like I’m in really good form at the minute.”
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