Zippy Doyle is back in action and with ambitions renewed is looking to build his form for what he says will be a last, or "one of the last", tilt at the Rás. Seen here in action at the Newbridge GP last Sunday week (Photo: Amy-Norah Farrell)
By Brian Canty
Having been one of the best riders on the cyclocross scene during the winter, Zippy Doyle bagged his first podium of the road season in the Bobby Power Memorial in Carrick-on-Suir yesterday and now has his sights fixed on the Rás, more than a decade after last riding it.
He positioned himself well in the closing stages yesterday and was beaten for the win in the main event by only Paidi O’Brien and Martin Mizgayski.
Now aged 40 years, he has moved to the VeloRevolution team and seems to have carried his condition from the off road season into the new road campaign.
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Doyle kept his power dry for much of the race yesterday, tucking himself neatly into the large bunch and only emerging when moves looked dangerous.
Riding as part of the VeloRevolution squad, he is aiming to do the Rás in May and will ride the usual preparation races in the weeks ahead, namely the Des Hanlon Memorial next weekend, Kerry Rás Mumhan and the Tour of Ulster as well as the Visit Nenagh Classic and the Shay Elliott.
“There’s six of us want to do the Rás, probably the same six will do Rás Mumhan and the Tour of Ulster,” he said of his new squad put together by VeloRevolution owner and well known rider Aidan Crowley.
“If you’re committed to riding the Rás now you need to do Rás Mumhan and Ulster and all the other races. It’s going to be really hard with the two big teams; UCD and Aqua Blue.
“They were watching each other a lot today and obviously there’s big rivalry there between the two of them. But today it was like they didn’t want to co-operate with each other. But there’s going to be fireworks next weekend.”
Having raced for more seasons than he cares to remember, he says he is continually surprised at how the level creeps up further each year.
“I was away for the last two years but it seems to have gone up from three years ago. I think guys are smarter with their training and their nutrition now. Everyone seems to have a coach and is training with power.
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“And there’s more information there too. Around 10 years ago there were only one or two coaches in the country that had it.
“But I’m enjoying the racing. The Rás will certainly be it for me. It’s going to be one of my last times doing it. I think I’ve started four or five, finished three.”
Doyle put in some great cyclocross rides over the winter and was one of only a very small number to push Robin Seymour on the Leinster-based circuit (Photo: Toby Watson)
Asked about what makes him want to take it on again he says doing any kind of a ride in Ireland’s biggest race brings great personal satisfaction.
“If you even do a half-decent ride on a stage of the Rás that’s all people talk about for the year; it’s big.
"I was lucky enough to get my photo in the Rás book; I’m with the late Kieran McMahon in the picture. There’s a bunch there somewhere on Moll’s Gap and I’m near the front, it was nice to be in that.
“The last time I rode the Rás was 2000 or 2002; years ago. And it has changed massively, with UCI status now. It’s a completely different animal and I think to finish it is an accomplishment.
“It’s just the biggest challenge for any Irish rider. I remember I was 15th into Lisdoonvarna one day, and maybe the first Irish rider too I think. It was mentioned on the six o’clock news, the nine o’clock news, the radio the next day. It was great. But it’s no picnic.”
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