Angus Fyffe drives a breakaway during the Stamullen GP in Meath last weekend. The Omagh Wheelers rider has made a big impression this year. He's hoping to continue progressing and some day wear an Irish jersey (Photo: Sean Rowe)
The country’s fifth highest-ranked rider at present, Angus Fyffe, is hopeful his early season form can continue and he can force his way into an Irish team in the future.
The 20-year-old Omagh Wheelers man has notched a few notable results so far.
He was 3rd at the Davis Cup, runner-up at the Ciclisport GP, the McCann Cup and on the final stage of the Tour of the North and says his good condition is down to nothing more than hard work.
“I’ve put in a lot of graft this winter, typically 16-17 hour weeks consistently,” he explained.
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“I trained hard last year as well, but I think it just takes time to develop a decent engine which allows you to get into those hard breaks and be fit to ride hard.
Racing for Tomac CC in Belgium last year. He's hopeful of getting back out to the Continent this summer and winning a kermesse out there, something he almost did in 2014 (Photo: Martine Verfaillie)
“I’ve also copped on a bit with the simple things like diet and volume of sleep,” he added.
Fyffe is currently studying at the University of Ulster Jordanstown and has set himself some big goals for the summer.
“I want to win a kermesse in the summer. I came close last year so I know I’m capable of it,” he said.
“I’d also like to get my foot in the door for the U23 national squad.
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“I’m not quite on the same level as the likes of Sean McKenna but I’m not a million miles away and I think I’d have a decent shot of it.
“But I just want to keep improving and keep studying and see where it takes me.”
Winning the Mid Ulster GP 12 months ago ahead of Ali Gribbon, the duo holding off the fast finishing bunch in the final kilometres (Photo: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
Fyffe, who will ride the Tour of Ulster with Tomac CC, admitted his good form has taken some, including himself, by surprise.
“I’m surprised I’m fit enough to get into the hard moves but I feel pretty comfortable,” he explained.
“I’ve always been aggressive in races and fit enough to jump gaps and make it into moves.
“But it would be long hard breaks that would wear me down. This year it isn’t an issue. But I need to work on my patience and use my head more.
“There’s been a fair few times this year where I’ve been in breaks and cruising but simple wrong decisions have cost me.”
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