Páidí O'Brien was untouchable in the sprints last year and won three of the four stages in the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan. He reckons Mark Dowling, Sean Lacey and Cathal Moynihan are going well enough to contend this year for the overall. (Photo: Brendan Slattery)
By Brian Canty
One of the stars of the 2015 Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, Páidí O’Brien (Osbourne Meats-McCarthy Cycles) believes this year’s edition of the race could be one of the most open for a number of seasons.
O’Brien won three stages and finished fifth overall last year after spending two days in the yellow jersey.
He lost the lead on the Waterville stage when overall winner Sean McKenna (Irish Development Team) claimed it.
McKenna is on Irish team duty in Belgium this weekend meaning whatever happens at Rás Mumhan there will be a new champion.
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“I think there are a good few guys who will challenge; Sean Lacey and Mark Dowling are always in good form," said the experienced O'Brien.
“Cathal Moynihan won a race last week (in Blarney) but the Dutch teams will be strong and there’s always a few strong guys from the UK.
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“Also, looking at the weather last night we might have rain so it’s a bit more open than previous years. Anything can happen,” O'Brien told Radio Kerry.
O’Brien reckons the race has such prestige now that it brings guys up another level.
“It’s such a big event that everyone is motivated and comes up 10 or 15 per cent," he said of riders being motivated for the Easter event and raising their game.
“It’s a big, well-run event, they’ve a big sponsor in Kerry Group and it’s one of the best events in the year and I think that brings guys up another 10 or 15 per cent.”
Of his own chances he said: “I can’t hide away from the results I had last year but you need a bit of luck on the weekend.
"I’ve went down there before in better form than last year and didn’t win but last year it went well.
“Again, I was a bit lucky, sometimes things just work out for you and I’ll be back again giving everything that I have so I’ll be hopeful of being successful.”
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