By Graham Healy
One of Ireland’s most promising schoolboys, Eddie Dunbar is amongst the members of the Kanturk Credit Union CC team that has this week travelled to South Africa to take part in the forthcoming TRAC tour.
It will be the second time the Cork native has raced abroad, having taken part in the European Youth Olympics in Turkey last year, and he’s very much looking forward to the race.
“I hope to be up there in the GC, but we’ve been told to expect a different style of racing”, Dunbar told stickybottle just before his departure for South Africa last night, Wednesday.
“For a start, some of the stages are very long (84kms and 70kms). Also, it’s going to be up to 28 degrees. There's also a 20km time trial, which is maybe a bit too long for me, and a crit."
Despite the long stages, and the heat, the Kanturk native remains optimistic.
“I feel confident, and training has been going well."
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Over the winter, the team had training camps in Longford and Kanturk, where they received advice from Philip Lavery. Dunbar said all of those present appreciated the advice they got from the experienced international.
The team will compete against the best South African U16s, in addition to a team from Namibia in the upcoming TRAC Tour. There are also Junior and U23 events, with teams from eight other countries competing in the older categories.
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The Kanturk team will have the opportunity to test their legs before the five-day event not long after arrival in South Africa after being given permission to take part in the South African Championships.
However, Dunbar tells us: “Joshua Francis is the only rider who will be able to compete for a medal, so the team have made the decision to ride in support of him."
Unfortunately, Dunbar will not be taking part in the Youth Olympics this year, as they are only held every two years. But he is hopeful of competing in France later in the year, where the South African experience will undoubtedly stand to him
The TRAC Tour unfolds over four days from March 29th to April 1st. It features stages of 85km, 68km, 56km, a 45-minute criterium and a 20km TT.
The Kanturk riders who have travelled to the race are: Eddie Dunbar, Jeremy Lawlor, Dylan O’Brien, Joshua Francis and Dillon Corkery.
Gerry Francis, who has been well known in Longford CC in recent years, is from South Africa and said he’s delighted to be bringing a team back to compete in his home country. He has been assisted by Dan Curtin in organising the trip.
The team just before departure last night, Wednesday
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