Downey was constantly on the right side of the splits in Valkenburg today
An Post-Sean Kelly and ‘Team Ireland’ rider, Sean Downey has said he was happy with his ride in the U23 World Road Race Championships today, where he finished in the group sprinting for first.
He told stickybottle that when an early breakaway built a considerable lead most of the big nations were looking at each other to see who was going to ride. When some decided to cooperate and reel the breakaway in, the race became fast but controlled.
“It definitely felt more like a proper pro race in that sense than a typical U23 race,” he said.
Related News
“I didn’t think I was going well after the time trial on Monday, but when I was looking around today and there were small splits I was in the first group so it went well. I think this year having ridden the harder races with the An Posts for the full season, that has definitely brought me on a lot.”
Advertisement
He said the start to his 177.1km world title race was not overly fast but once some nations decided it was time to start chasing the breakaway the race was much more business-like.
“On around the 5th lap or so it definitely became full on. I was happy with the way I rode, I felt it was good.”
Downey finished in the same group as Philip Lavery and Sam Bennett, in a bunch of 53 riders going for the win. He came home in 26th position in what was his first road race at a World Championships.
Topics
