He Enjoyed That: Last year's overall winner, Marcin 'The Machine' Bialoblocki left it late in Cahirciveen but ended up timing his finishing burst to perfection (Photo: Ramsey Cardy - Sportsfile)
By Shane Stokes
Although he won the race overall last year and took yesterday’s stage with a superb uphill sprint into Clonakilty, Marcin Bialoblocki has played down his chances of taking the general classification for a second year running.
The Polish rider points to today’s summit finish of Seskin Hill as a cause for concern, feeling that other riders in the top ten might fare better in the flat out dash to the line.
“It is a very hard finish up the hill. It is a very steep hill,” he said during yesterday’s podium presentation.
“I am not a climber…I am strong. I like long hills, but not the steepest ones. Probably Alex Peters and the guy who is in yellow will be fighting for the result.”
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Bialoblocki has had a solid race but things didn’t play out as well for the general classification as they did twelve months ago. He lost time on Monday’s second stage when Patrick Bevin (New Zealand) soloed to victory and took the yellow jersey.
He bounced back on stage four when he was second behind Bevin into Cahirciveen, then improved on that yesterday with his victory into Clonakilty.
“It all went perfectly. I risked a little bit, I decided to have everything or nothing,” he said. “I didn’t chase guys when they attacked with two or three kilometres to go, I sat on the back and wait, wait, wait.
“[Ian] Bibby attacked with 600 to go. Pete [Williams] with 400 to go. I managed to jump behind Pete and he took me to the hill. I was on the good side, perfectly sprinting, caught Bibby and passed him.”
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When the Britain Velosure Girodana rider crossed the line he roared loudly, and continued doing so past the finish. It was clear that the victory meant a lot to him; he explained why afterwards.
“Last year I almost ended up without a team,” he said, referring to the demise of his previous Team UK Youth Team, which was owned by former F1 champion Nigel Mansell.
“I gave a chance to everyone to take me. I asked good teams and just Phil Griffiths took me to his team. I liked to prove I am good rider. That is why I was so happy.”
He started today’s stage seventh overall, 57 seconds back. While he is downplaying his chances, the race is a very unpredictable one and nobody will write off his chances, least of all his rivals.
Marcin Bialoblocki speaks to Shane Stokes
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