McCarthy taking one of his four stage wins at the 2012 North West International Youth Tour in the UK
By Brian Canty
Fermoy 14-year-old Dion McCarthy took the underage ranks by storm last year with 25 victories. And by way of a warning to all with designs on challenging him, he says he’s determined to increase that tally this season.
The National Champion - a younger brother of Eoin McCarthy, an U23 rider who will be based in Belgium in 2013 - said last season was one he’s unlikely to ever forget.
“Yeah it was brilliant really,” he told stickybottle.
“It could hardly have went any better for me. I was delighted, a bit surprised as well at the same time but all in all I was very happy.”
Indeed, a string of early and mid-season wins paled in comparison to his exploits in Belgium later in the 2012 campaign. And August 12th is a day he says will be difficult to surpass.
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Just a week earlier he crashed heavily in the European Youth Tour of Assen. Damaging his shoulder but determined to finish, he rode out the remaining three stages heavily bandaged.
His toughness was rewarded in West Flanders in the Westkerke kermesse when he galloped to a brilliant win ahead of over 70 others.
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“That was pretty special,” he recalls.
“I don’t know how to describe it. I was shocked when I won it, I really was. There was 70 of us coming into the finish and I was second wheel. I just started my sprint early and half expected someone to come around me but when I looked back underneath my arm I realised I had two or three bike lengths. So I kicked again and finished about two bike lengths ahead. I was amazed with myself.”
When asked what he wants to achieve in 2013 he quickly points to the Youth Olympics.
“They were 193 days away from January 1st this year. I’d like to win them but obviously I have to get selected first. They’re in Holland in July. It’s my main target but I have to get selected first so I just have to keep working hard.”
McCarthy only took up the sport two years ago but has quickly grown to love it – something he believes helps him win so often.
“I’ve no strict diet or anything like that but I suppose it’s my love for the sport and my determination to win that helps me in races.”
He was an obvious choice for the FBD Talent Team 2020 and that’s added some structure to his training.
“I like the Talent Team. They bring us on board, help us out, advise us, have training camps and I’ve learned a lot from it. Things like core and diet; we’ve learned the importance of all that. Hopefully I can have another great season. I have to thank my father John though for all his help. I wouldn’t be able to do anything only for him. He’s my mechanic, chef, driver and all that!”
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