Derry 19-year-old Ryan Reilly is motivated to race again in 2016 after a difficult season. The second-year physiotherapy student will race with Continental team Dynamo Cover and hope to challenge for a medal at the national championships in June.
By Brian Canty
Ryan Reilly admitted a “pretty awful” season in 2015 meant he was as surprised as anyone when the call came from Ireland’s newest UCI-registered Continental cycling team with a view to securing his services.
The 19 year-old from Derry will combine his physiotherapy studies with his career as a professional cyclist in what he hopes will be a better year than the one just gone.
“The deal with Dynamo Cover was a bit of a surprise,” he said.
“One of the team’s owners contacted me to offer me the contract; I think they were impressed with my aggressive racing and few results in France last year.”
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Reilly said his main focus will be on his studies and to that end, he’ll be based at home.
“The main focus will be on university,” he confirmed.
“The team will take care of my coaching and I'll race at home until May when I finish my second year exams and then I'll move to France with the team.
“The plan for next year is just to continue to improve gradually as I've done the last two years.
“I don't want to focus on results too much as I'll be focusing on physiotherapy.”
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Reilly had a luckless 2015. After being in superb shape in early March he crashed while out training and broke his wrist.
And just as he was returning to full fitness he was in collision with a motorbike at the VisitNenagh Classic, breaking his elbow and injuring his back.
“Those were big setbacks,” he said.
“But I’m motivated now again. What pleased me was I was able to contend in some races in France on the hillier terrain.
“And I want to ride the Ras next May, if my exam timetable suits.
“As well as that I’d like to make the Irish national team for a few Nations Cup races and challenge for an U23 medal at the national championships.”
Reilly riding against the clock in France. While he had a poor season by his own standards, he said his ability to ride well in the hills at time when abroad was encouraging.
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