Michael Hutchinson has been Irish elite men’s time trial champion for the past three years but will not defend his title in Omagh in two weeks (Photo: Stephen McMahon – Sportsfile)
The race for medals in the elite men’s time trial at the National Road Champs in two weeks has been blown wide open with news that defending champion Michael Hutchinson does not plan to ride.
The British-based rider, who is from Northern Ireland, has won the title for last three years, having begun racing under an Irish coded licence which made him eligible.
His absence from the test in Omagh two weeks tomorrow will instil confidence in many riders that they can medal at the championships.
It is being held on a rolly and exposed 37km course starting and finishing just outside Omagh.
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Riding for InGear, Hutchison won last year’s title race by just four seconds from Colm Cassidy, then riding for UCD CC.
And while it was far from a foregone conclusion he would get past the fancied Cassidy to win again this time around, few would have bet against him at least taking silver or bronze.
Having lost out on the elite title by just four seconds last year, Colm Cassidy would have been as fancied as Hutchinson to take gold this time around had the defending champion been riding (Photo: Pawel Sadowski – Shutterstills.com)
His absence now means one likely medallist is absent from the field, which will give those knocking on the door in recent seasons a lot of hope they can get on the podium.
Martyn Irvine, then of Unitedhealthcare, was 3rd last year. And once the Madison-Genesis man rides in two weeks time he will be one of the hot favourites in both the men’s time trial and road race.
Others who will fancy their chances against the watch, if they ride, include 2011 road and time trial champion Matt Brammeier (MTN Qhubeka).
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An Post Rás top county rider and 5th in the time trial championships last year, Ian Richardson of UCD CC is also in with a great chance of a medal.
Conor McConvey of Team 3M will also looking to claim his first championship medal, having been 6th in last year’s title race.
Conor Dunne and Sean Downey of An Post-Chainreaction can also threaten, as could their former team mate Marcus Christie who is now based in the US with the Bissell-ABG-Giant Team.
Martyn Irvine on his way to bronze in Co Westmeath last year. It was his first ride on a TT bike for two years (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile)
Hutchinson confirmed to stickybottle he would not be riding, saying he was unable to compete due to work commitments at present.
Ryan Mullen of An Post-Chainreaction clocked the fastest time last year but as an U23 rider was only eligible for that title.
He will once again go into that event as red hot favourite, with the likes of Sean Hahessy (Fitscience) and Sean McKenna (Aquablue) also in the U23 medal hunt.
Stickybottle will have a full preview of the time trial championships once the full field is confirmed.
Those yet to enter for the various time trial and road title races are urged to do so immediately. The planned three Masters road races - M40, M50 and M60 - will only be championship events if numbers prove sufficient.
Entry for the time trials closes this coming Saturday, June 20th. You can enter by clicking here.
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