Eoin Morton had a season to remember in 2016; amongst his wins the VisitNenagh Classic in April, a race that set him up nicely for the An Post Rás a month later (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Eoin Morton believes it will be all but impossible to emulate his 2016 season next year and revealed he tested the waters in the off season in trying to get a pro contract.
The UCD-Fitzcycles.ie man wrote his name into Irish cycling history by winning into Charleville on the Rás following a day-long escape with compatriot Bryan McCrystal (Team ASEA).
But it’s back to the grind and the 25-hour training weeks for the man from Swords, rather than still basking in the glory of what happened that marvellous day back in May.
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“I genuinely don’t think it’ll change me as a person, other people seem to think so," he said of his Rás stage win, a rare achievement for Irish riders in recent years especially for club men.
"They think it’s the best thing that ever happened. To me, it was great to win and have that accolade and (recognition) from everyone; but at the end of the day it’s another race.
“I don’t want to sound miserable; it’s great to win, it’s brilliant. But on the other side, it’s no life-changing event."
He said he was delighted to be on the list of Irish Rás winners with his father Peter, adding it was something he would "be able to talk about forever".
Morton and Bryan McCrystal (Team ASEA) were two of the stars of the An Post Rás and this particular day saw both men stay away to contest the finish in Charleville, which the former won. (Photo: Shane Stokes)
Morton was deservedly crowned Irish domestic rider of the year at the Cycling Ireland annual function last weekend and the significance of that is not lost on him.
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“It was brilliant, a great honour and especially nice to receive it from your peers,” he said of the award voted by Cycling Ireland members.
“I definitely notice the attitudes towards me have changed, out on spins and things like that," he said, adding people recognised his name when he introduced himself in cycling settings.
“In work as well they did a big article on me last week; you have the praise from the CEO of the company which is pretty cool.
“This year was fantastic and from my own point of view I went into every race and won a prize.
“I was wearing a jersey in every (stage) race bar the Suir Valley and it was brilliant. But the lads in the team all stepped up to the plate as well so it was a coming to fruition for UCD-Fitzcycles.ie.
Morton admitted he tried to move up to continental level - or higher, but didn't even get a reply from those he contacted.
“Usually we are the underdog but regularly we’re beating the likes of ASEA and Aqua Blue which is nice, considering all of our guys are club members for five to six years.
“We haven’t just been brought in like Mark Dowling was to win races that go uphill. Even though Ian (Richardson) still beats him and that’s nice!”
On how to better his win tally in 2017 he laughed: “I don’t think I can. In all reality, I don’t think it’ll happen.
"I’ll train exactly the same, put in the dedication but repeating a Rás stage win will be hard.
“There was an awful lot of luck and hard work that went into that. I don’t think it’ll be possible to do it again. But I will train damn hard to try and do it anyway.”
He attempted to get a contract for next year but he admitted he didn’t get a single reply from the teams he contacted.
“To be honest I expected it, I’m not too pushed. I think a job might service my mortgage a little bit easier!
"And if Connor McConvey can’t get a contract I most certainly won’t.”
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