Emerging Londonderry rider, Craig McAuley is very hopeful of further progress in 2014 and of possibly making the Irish team for the junior European or world championships (Photo: Peter Bennett, www.pbennettphotography.com)
By Brian Canty
Having won the national U16 road race title and the Ulster U16 road race and time trial crowns, emerging rider Craig McAuley is hopeful of big things to come. He has not ruled out selection on the Irish junior team for a major championships in the year ahead.
The Londonderry 17-year-old took a very good stage win the in Rás Dun na nGall last year and in 2014 steps into the Nicolas Roche Performance Team looking to build on the successes he has enjoyed so far.
“Having the sort of support they provide at all the races will be phenomenal,” he said of his new squad.
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“This year I’d like to maybe represent Ireland at the Europeans or the World Championships, if I get the results. But I’m well aware of the competition for those spots so it’s just a matter of performing when it counts.
“I’d also like to do well in the British national series races the team will be doing and then there’s the obvious goals like the Junior Tour of Ireland and tour of Wales. They’ll be huge.
“So far, things are progressing well. We’ve had two training weekends and I’m really pleased with the set-up and just the support the team provide. My own winter training is going well and I’ve been getting all the hours in I can with school and other commitments.”
McAuley, who notched two third places in the Ciclisport and Emyvale GP’s last year, regularly rises very early in the morning to get his miles in before school.
“At this time of year I’m usually training by myself but with school it means quite a few early mornings of 5.30am. And then I do some more again in the evening. Most people don’t like to train at that time unfortunately so that’s why I’m on my own a lot.”
While winning the U16 national road title was his stand-out result of 2012, he followed that up last year when progressing to the junior ranks with not only a stage win at Rás Dun na nGall but also the climbers’ jersey; a result that underlined his ability if proof were needed.
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“I won a stage with a lot of very good riders there, like Gavin Noble who went to the Olympics for the triathlon. And I won the climbers’ jersey too and helped Mark (Downey) to the overall win.”
He said while enjoying his own results in Donegal, he believed he had seen racing from a different side that will stand to him in assisting Downey to victory.
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“Being in my second year as a junior now and having a relatively successful year last year, I know I have what it takes to compete; it’s just bringing that capability with me to the main races.
“There was a fair sized group of riders last year who were pretty evenly matched all year, which I think is good and drives us all on. Last year Eddie (Dunbar) seemed to be on a different level, which he showed at the likes of the Junior Tour.”
However, rather than be deterred or overawed by such a strong individual performance, McAuley said a ride like Dunbar’s in the national tour would only spur him on to achieve his own goals.
“This year I’ll follow the team plan, but there are a few gaps where I’d like to maybe go back to Belgium like I did last year. I met some great people over there and I’d really like to go back.
“The team also has a few possibilities in terms of of races abroad which should be good if it happens.”
One race he would really like to target is the Junior Tour of Wales.
“Last year I ended up being ill during it which was unfortunate. But I’d really like to give it a good go this year; maybe not to win it but to be competitive, certainly.
“I think it would suit me fairly well. I prefer races with some good climbs and ones that are dictated less by the TT. But for now, I’m just concentrated on my studies and training and I’m really excited with the possibilities this year and I’m sure we’ll have a great year.”
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