By Shane Stokes
Nicolas Roche has confirmed an important role at this year’s Rás Tailteann, with the recently-retired professional cyclist to act as a sporting director at the race.
“I’ll be working with Trinity Racing at the Rás,” Roche told stickybottle, confirming he will be trying to guide the team to success.
The line-up for the squad was announced in recent days and will see the promising young Irish riders Kevin McCambridge and Matthew Devins take part, as well as Alex Malacarne (Brazil), Adrien Boichis (France) and Cameron Mason (Great Britain).
The team is owned by Andrew McQuaid, Roche’s friend and agent. Roche has been working with its off-road riders this year and will now have a chance to share the experience he gained over a long professional career with the Rás selection.
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“I know about the race and how important it is,” he says. “It will be great to be on the Rás for the whole five days, to guide the team and also to spend a bit of time there.”
There will be an additional benefit too, relating to his other role as Cycling Ireland sporting director for races such as the European and world championships. Being on the Rás will enable him to get to know a range of up and coming young Irish riders, something which will be useful for the CI position.
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“I know the WorldTour riders so well, Sam, Ryan and Eddie are close friends,” he explains. “But I need now to know a bit more personally the other riders from Ireland.”
Former world track champion Martyn Irvine will be sporting director of the national team at the event, giving the two Irish internationals the chance to get together and to compare notes about riders.
Roche sees the appointment of himself and Irvine as a positive step for the federation.
“I think Cycling Ireland have put the effort in, in approaching me and in approaching Irvine. We both committed a lot to Ireland. And I think it's great… Martin has had his track experience, he was world champion, and I think he has a lot to teach to the young guys. And then myself to look after the more elite [riders]… I think it's a good match, and I'm looking forward to catching up with him.”
Roche is one of the most famous Irish riders of the past two decades, taking a number of important wins such as stages in the Vuelta a España, but never competed in the Rás. He says slightly tongue in cheek that his career is not compete without riding the event.
“I never had the chance to ride as an under 23 or as a professional cyclist,” he says. “I always said that when I retire I will go back and ride it for a local team. I am not going to do it with a local team this year but I am going to do it in the car with Trinity. It is going to be great. I am going to discover the Rás through a different angle.
“I am really looking forward to going there with the young guys. I have looked at the course and there are a load of roads I do now know of, but it will be good for me to be there with them and get the excitement of the Rás and the experience of the Rás. Maybe I won’t be a real Man of the Rás yet, but I am on track for it.”
So does that mean he is considering riding it another time? “It is something that I would like to do in the future, in a couple of years’ time,” he confirms. “Maybe as a vet. Just with a local team for the craic.”
