Derek Joyce felt he was on the decline during the summer of last year when he struggled for form. Now a vet, the Rás (above) 12 months ago took a lot out of his body. But a strict training programme since the turn of the year and a new focus has brought about his first win in two years (Photo: George Doyle)
By Brian Canty
Saturday's winner of the Crotty Cup in west Clare admitted he had given up on cycling after struggling to compete in his home league races last year.
Galway Bay CC rider Derek Joyce claimed his first win for two years by beating men half his age, including last year's winner Daire Feeley (iTap) and Cathal Purcell (Carrick Wheelers).
Joyce said he felt after completing the An Post Rás last year his form dipped, most likely because of age catching up on him.
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“Before Christmas I was done,” he said.
“The bikes went on DoneDeal.com as I said there was no point in racing if I can't compete.
“Being over 40 and competing against 21 year-old riders on Irish international teams was not where I wanted to be and age had called it a day for me.”
Derek Joyce celebrates beating none other than man of the season so far Sean McKenna back in the Bog Week Two-Day in 2013 (Photo: Pawel Sadowski – Shutterstills.com)
He started commuting to work thereafter and the strength started to return, as did the motivation to compete again.
“I did a lactate test, trained on power religiously and saw my power was what it was like before the Rás last year so I started to do some more training.
“I promised my wife I’d take it easy this year; the same promise I made three years ago!
“I got third in the Fitscience GP in March but always thought a win was beyond me so to actually be first across the line (on Saturday) was thrilling.
“We had a good group of riders from Galway Bay in the race so we had plenty of options to challenge for a good result,” he continued.
“Having said that, these other lads are just motoring and don't mess around.
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“The first few kilometres of the break were just torture but I knew I'd be challenging for a result if I could hold on.
Derek Joyce shows his delight at winning the Crotty Cup in Co Clare for Galway Bay CC from the breakaway (Photo: www.jimmymcelroy.com – follow Jimmy on Facebook and Twitter)
“Everyone in the break was doing their bit to keep the gap to over a minute to the bunch.
“At that stage, I was happy enough to be challenging for a top six.
“Clifford (Eoghan, team mate) and I were attacking in the last 10 kilometres but my legs were buckling with the intensity.
"And with three kilometres to go on a sharp drag, the break started to split.
“The younger, lighter riders like Feeley and Purcell rode away. But savage work from (Eoin) O’Connell (Blarney CC) kept the gap down.
“I was sitting on his wheel seeing stars and Clifford had lost a few bikes lengths.
“With a few kilometres to go everyone started to tire and I went for what looked to be third place.
“I couldn't believe I started to close in on the two lads. They started to fade into the headwind on the finishing straight.
“It’s a bit of a blur but I could see the finishing banner and caught them with a few hundred meters left and just kept the head down until I crossed the line.
“I have being using a power meter for years, I didn’t think it went into the 4 digits, but it did on the finishing straight.”
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