Ireland's McCarthy to target An Post Rás and Tour de Yorkshire
Leading Jamie Blanchfield on his way to victory in Dungarvan. Robbie-Jon McCarthy has already racked up many racing days in 2017 as his season started back in January at the New Zealand Cycle Classic (1.2). He has been in Ireland of late and yesterday romped to victory in the Dungarvan CC-promoted CycleSports GP (Photo Dungarvan CC-John Busher)
By Brian Canty
Robbie-Jon McCarthy took his first win on Irish roads since his historic An Post Rás opening day win in 2014 and he’s now looking to the big events in the UK and the Rás again for more success.
The Cork-born rider who turns 23 on Thursday is riding in the colours of JLT-Condor this year after taking a year out from the sport in 2016.
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And he said he’s back in love with the sport he was beginning to dislike last year.
He took victory in the Dungarvan CycleSports GP in Waterford yesterday when he jumped clear of the break on the last lap and soloed to the finish.
“Pleased to get back to winning ways,” he said afterwards, “it shows all the work I've been putting in to come back to the level I was at before the break is paying off.”
McCarthy was forcing the issue all afternoon and on the first lap on the first time up the day’s only real climb he went clear with Jamie Blanchfield (Carrick Wheelers).
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Robbie-Jon McCarthy exploded on the scene in 2014 when he won the opening stage of the An Post Rás in 2014 and spent the following day in the yellow jersey. Since then he went to SEG Racing in 2015 before opting out of the sport for much of last year. But he is back and looking very good again.
About a dozen other riders joined them on the following lap. “There was a bit of jumping around and attacking for a bit,” McCarthy added.
“Then the last time up the climb I rode away and then put the head down and time-trialled the 20 or so kilometres to the finish.”
Looking ahead to bigger goals
He’s been in Ireland training for the last while but is about to start a big block of racing before the An Post Ras in May.
“I go to the UK next week for the first Premier calendar race of the season," he said.
“Then I have Loir et Cher in France over Easter and I want to get selected for the Tour of Yorkshire but that depends on how the first races go.
“I’m absolutely loving being back racing. I'm very hungry and it feels great to pin a number back on.”
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