Mark Downey finishes U23 Paris-Roubaix in a group on the famous Roubaix velodrome before a quick visit to the Sean Kelly shower; his body battered (Photos with thanks to Philippe Seys)
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Mark Downey debriefed by Bradley Wiggins at U23 Paris-Roubaix
Irish rider Mark Downey finished in 46th at yesterday’s U23 Paris-Roubaix. However, while he missed a key split with about 50km to go he said he learned a huge amount from the race.
The 188.3km event, over the same pavé used in the pro version, was won by Stan Dewulf (Lotto-Soudal).
He claimed victory from SEG Racing’s Julius van den Berg, with team mate Thymen Arensman 3rd at seven seconds.
The racing would really split to pieces, with almost all of the 50 riders finishing on their own or with one other rider.
Downey (Team Wiggins) was in a five-man group 8:53 down. However, while being down the field is not a position he is used to, he said he took a lot from the experience.
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“I missed that split around 50km to go as I was a bit too far back on one of the main sectors,” he said of the cobbles.
“I didn’t really know what to hope for with it being my first proper race on the cobbles. But I learnt a lot about the race.
“I rolled in 46th but I think legs felt good though so happy enough.”
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Mark Downey knew he'd been in a race after U23 Paris-Roubaix.
Downey posted a photo of himself on social media in the stone shower named after Sean Kelly in the Roubaix velodrome.
Every winner of the pro race gets a shower named after them and Downey enjoyed getting acquainted with the history of the race.
He said his body really felt the effects of the effort he had made and the brutal cobbles.
“It was absolutely savage; really something I'd never experienced,” he said of the event, run off in dry conditions.
“My hands are still swollen today. I can’t put one of my rings on my fingers. But I really wanted to race it.
“If I never get the opportunity to race the pro one; the U23 one had 26 sectors and the pros race has 29. So there isn’t a big difference in the two.
“The spectators were class from start to finish. And then to see the legendary Roubaix showers was surreal; changing in Sean Kelly’s was special.
“It gives us young guys something to aim for to get our name gold plated on there.”
Mark Downey had advice for another giant of the pro game after his ride in the shape of Bradley Wiggins.
Wiggins, who owns the team the Irish rider is part of, was there for a debrief.
“Brad was quite chilled and he asked how the race panned out,” said Downey. “I told him I made a bit of a balls of it.
“He said himself he learnt so much every time he rode the race. It was nice to have him there and to talk the race over.
“It’s great to get his opinion because we look up to him a lot and it was motivating to have him there.”
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