The breakaway sprint for the opening stage at the Tour of Ulster last year, with Chris Reilly pipped for the win by Roger Aiken and Tim Barry just behind rounding out the podium (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
By Brian Canty
Though he has done no road racing at all this season and says he does no structured training, national cyclocross champion and former FBD Rás stage winner Roger Aiken is still confident of being in the front group when it matters in this weekend’s Tour of Ulster.
However, he believes “pushing it out for a stage win” will be stretching it.
“I raced a mountain bike race back in March, that’s the last time I actually raced,” he said.
“I’m very tired after the cyclocross season. I put a lot into it. I don’t do cross half-hearted, I take it seriously and put a lot of training into it. And I was tired for a few months so I had to recover from that.”
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Last year, the Dromore man took the opening stage of the Tour of Ulster when he pipped Chris Reilly and Timmy Barry to the line. He also went away from the weekend with the polka dot jersey and second overall. He says he’s happy enough with where his form is at.
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“Last year I only rode the John Beggs Memorial (in late April) and that’s the only difference between this year and last year in terms of preparation. I’ve had a week in Majorca, the same as last year, so we’ll just have to see this weekend where I’m at.
“I am feeling a wee bit tired, maybe I’m not as fresh as last year. But I’m probably something similar in terms of form for this year.”
It begs the question, what training does he actually do, then?
“Good question,” he laughs.
“I don’t really know myself. I don’t do anything structured, I don’t have a coach. The last time I did a proper set of intervals was for the cyclocross.
“I don’t use a heart monitor or a power meter. I just go out and ride my bike. I ride it hard and hurt myself when l’m feeling good but as far as a set of intervals goes, I haven’t done much of that.
“It’s not work that has stopped me racing. I just felt I wasn’t fully recovered from the cyclocross season. I like going into a race fresh. I never go to ride around the bunch, and if I’m not fully recovered and I go into a race it’s no good. I did 10 races in the cyclocross so I should be okay.
“So for this weekend, I’m not sure. There are a lot of guys going well. I feel okay though, I’m not flying but I feel okay.
“I just want to get some speed into my legs for the An Post Rás. I’ll probably be in the front group, but I can’t say I’ll be able to push it out for a stage win or be one of the front runners.”
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