Jason Prendergast will be a force to be reckoned with in the U23 ranks this year and is hoping to muscle his way in on the Irish scene (Photo: Pawel Sadowski – Shutterstills.com)
By Brian Canty
Jason Prendergast has said he’s more motivated than ever to have a good year and is quietly confident of producing the results to get him back into the frame for an Irish U23 or University team.
The 20-year old from Mayo will ride for Cunga CC this season as part of a team that might yet include his brother Charlie, though the latter has yet to fully commit.
The younger sibling is one of a number of very promising U23 riders aiming to make his mark on the domestic scene.
“I've done a very, very solid winter and think I'll have a good year,” he said.
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“I know what the level is and I wasn’t anywhere below it last year. I just need to race smart this year and I'll be fine.
“I've a good team around me and I know we can perform well on the national and international stage.”
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Prendergast rode his debut An Post Rás last year and he will do it again this year, provided he has a good Rás Mumhan.
“I want to win some big races this year. I'm 20 years of age and I’ve been at the senior level for a couple of years know, so it’s time I step up and perform and win some big races.
“Rás Mumhan will be a big target no matter what team I’m on.
“I know I can do well in stage races and I hope to stamp my authority early.
“At the end of the day, the results will come with hard work and the hard work I’ve done in the past few months should see me doing well. I'm quietly confident.”
Having returned to full-time education on a sports scholarship at GMIT, Prendergast isn’t concerned by his limited training time compared to some of those he’ll compete against.
“Training in the wind, rain and hail of Mayo toughens you up and gives you motivation; you don’t need the best of everything to win,” he said.
“I know I have what it takes to make Irish teams. I've been on a number of them before, I know how they operate and I know I get on well in team situations.
“Every time you put on the green jersey it’s an honour so I'm driven to get it on me a few times this year. It’s what young guys like me dream of.”
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