Eoin Morton on his way to a close second behind Páidí O'Brien in the Gas Networks Ireland VisitNenagh.ie Classic. The UCD CC man rode a near perfect race but had to bow to the Cork man's greater finishing speed (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Eoin Morton joined the growing number of riders to finish runner-up to Páidí O’Brien this season at yesterday’s Gas Networks Ireland-VisitNenagh.ie Classic.
And though most would gladly take second to the former An Post-Sean Kelly man, Morton wasn’t exactly dancing a jig.
The UCD CC rider came into the race quietly confident of winning and after a very good season to date he had every right to be hopeful about his chances, if he could shake O’Brien.
Advertisement
But he came to the line with speedster O’Brien still there in the front, alongside Mark Dowling (DID Dunboyne), Bryan McCrystal (Team ASEA) and Greg Swinand (Aquablue).
“Once Dowling got across he gave it full beans and that separated myself, Páidí and himself,” recalled Morton of how a six-man group was halved by Dowling’s acceleration.
Morton is one of a small group of riders who has brought UCD CC from also-rans to one of the best outfits in the country in recent years. And while the CicliSport GP, above, may be his only win of the season he is in good enough shape to convert what has been a very strong run into many more victories in the months ahead (Photo: Jerry Rafferty)
“I knew if it stayed with just the three of us I’d have more of a likelihood of jumping away from Páidí.
“I thought maybe myself and Mark would work him over and one of us might get it.
“But then Greg and Bryan McCrystal came up behind, two diesels. And they are were going to bring back Páidí inadvertently, so coming into the sprint I’d a feeling I’d get second.
Related News
“I’ve had the beating of McCrystal and Greg before and I’ve beaten Mark in a sprint as well so I was happy enough with second, all things considered.
“I wouldn’t have taken it this morning though, no way," he said of the runner-up slot in the context of his ambitions.
Morton pushes the pace as the road goes upwards yesterday, with man of the season and former team mate Sean McKenna keeping a close eye on him (Photo: Sean Rowe)
“If someone offers me second I’ll never take it, but more often than not this year it’s been panning out that way.”
Morton’s big target is next month’s An Post Rás and he drew comfort from the fact he’s on track for that encounter.
“It’s getting there,” he said of his form for a race he really shone in last year.
“I’m still training six or seven days a week, ramping up slowly but surely to the Rás.
“That’s obviously the big goal and the legs are coming around.”
Topics
