With a string of wins under his belt at home, a victory in France and a growing number of appearances for Ireland, Daniel Stewart is hoping for a big year in 2015 (Photo: Andréa Quémener)
By Brian Canty
Irish international Daniel Stewart is hoping for a big year in 2015 as he joins the growing number of riders racing full time abroad.
The Belfast man this year linked up with fellow Irish international Dylan Foley at the Hennebont Cycling Team in France.
And while he is still finalising his arrangements for next year, the Audi East Antrim club man will definitely be racing abroad.
Stewart has already taken victory on foreign soil; winning the Circuit Melrand in France in August when he pounced from a breakaway.
“I’m just concentrating on getting better and improving,” he said.
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Having been selected for the Nations Cup U23 international series in Europe this year he says he was “a bit wet behind the ears” but described it as “a great learning experience”.
Stewart has won a string of races in club colours on home soil and is hoping to replicate that abroad next year (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
And having also ridden the European Championships on the Irish team this year, he is hopeful of selection for that event again next year.
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"I was bitterly disappointed with my result ,” he said of the Europeans.
“But I know I’ll be better next year, especially with a better race programme.
“The Worlds are in Richmond next year; it’d be phenomenal to race there.”
Stewart took one win at home but was runner-up no fewer than six times and having also won in France he has already shown he is one of the best young Irish riders on the scene.
“Once I got form, I was able to suffer a lot more than the last few years,” he said of the season just gone.
Riding in defence of his yellow jersey on the final stage of the Newry Three Day last year; Stewart has improved hugely since then and broken into the U23 international fold (Photo: Toby Watson)
“I’ve also matured since last year,” he said, in reference to adding muscle mass and increasing his power output.
“On the mental side of things; this may sound very negative, but I’ve always put anything that goes wrong down to being my own fault.
"Whether it’s a simple cold, or not making a break; I’m always meticulous in trying to find out why something went wrong and what I can do for it not to happen again.”
Having gained a lot of experience racing abroad, he said Cycling Ireland would do well to develop a calendar with more races and lower entry fees.
“In Belgium, I can race for €5 and if I finish in the top 30 I get my money back. Why can’t Ireland be more like Belgium?”
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