Arguably the ride of the day; Lavery takes the coveted U23 title and third in the elite event
By Gerard Cromwell
In Clonmel
Omega Pharma Quickstep professional Matt Brammeier became the first Irish rider in history to win three national road race titles in a row when he soloed clear of breakaway partners Nicolas Roche (Ag2r) and Philip Lavery (Node4 Giordana) at the end of a tough 167km course in Clonmel today, Sunday.
Although both David McCann and David O’Loughlin also have three road championships to their name, Brammeier created his own record today and further emphasised his capabilities as a one day rider by securing victory in all three championships he has taken part in.
As he did last year, Brammeier covered every major move of the race and found himself clear in a 13 man group alongside Olympic bound Martyn Irvine (RTS Racing), Conor Dunne (VL Technics), Mike Ryder (Galway Bay), Thomas Martin (Eurocycles), Philip Lavery (Node4 Giordana), Fiachra O’Mhuire (DID Dunboyne), Paidi O’Brien (Dan Morrissey Speedy Spokes), Sean Lacey (Dan Morrissey Speedy Spokes), Mullingar strongman Damien Shaw (Lakeside Wheelers) and An Post trio Conor McConvey, Ronan McLaughlin and Sean Downey as early as the first lap of the nine lap race.
“I just had to follow absolutely everything,” he said afterwards.
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“That was my tactic again. It’s been the same the last couple of years. Follow everything and hope I can survive to the last lap. That’s what you have to do here to win.”
With Nicolas Roche (Ag2r) stranded over a minute behind and the An Post trio keen to keep things moving at the front, things were looking good for Brammeier’s title defence right from the off.
But as Roche spent two laps on the front of the chase group, trying to bridge the gap without any success, suddenly the front group stalled slightly and the Ag2r pro and others came across and the whole race changed.
“There were three guys from An Post there but for some reason they weren’t committed 100pc which was a bit stupid,” said Brammeier afterwards.
“If they had committed we were gone and the race was over for everyone else. In the end there was none of them in the front group which didn’t look good.”
Upon bridging across, Roche went straight through the lead group on the climb and brought six others with him before more attacking left him with just Lavery, Brammeier and Irvine for company with around three laps to go.
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Despite being dropped on the penultimate climb, a gutsy Irvine simply clawed his way back on before attacking the lead trio and building a 22 seconds advantage going through the finish for the final lap.
“I wanted to race today,” said Irvine after finishing fourth.
“It sounds silly but I wasn’t worried about the result until the last lap and even still I can’t get over that climb with those guys. I’m a bit heavier than them and they can just skip up it. When I got dropped, I was thinking, ‘they’re going to fart about and that’s not me’, so I attacked them and kept going. I got 20 seconds and I was thinking it’s only a 20km time trial, half of what I did the other night but the hill just got me. They can just skip over the climb and caught me but I’m happy with fourth. I’m not gutted to miss the podium. It was a solid result so I’m happy enough.”
Roche, Lavery and Brammeier forged on as Irvine tired on the climb and the trio soon began to attack each other with Lavery not afraid to have a go against the WorldTour duo.
“The last time up the climb I tried to go but I just didn’t have it in the legs,” said Lavery at the finish.
“For a while I was worried about a group coming from behind. I’d done a lot to be in the front and I’ve seen it before where an U23 rider has been in the front and then they blow up and a group comes up from behind so I didn’t want that to happen.”
“On the last lap I knew I had the U23 jersey and tried to go for the elite but my legs were cramping. But I’m really happy with third and the U23 jersey. I’ve been dreaming of this jersey for the whole year. I told my team at the start of the year that’s what I wanted to do. I went into the Ras a little bit out of form. I went to Canada last week and came back with great form and I’ve done what I set out to do. I’m delighted.”
Roche too was philosophical about his silver medal, despite missing the opportunity to show off the shamrock jersey at the Tour de France next week.
“I’m disappointed because I would have liked to start the Tour de France next week in the jersey but considering I thought I’d be watching the race while having a coffee at the side of the road an hour into things I’m happy with silver. It’s not that bad. I’m not as disappointed as in other years.”
Brammeier jumped clear with 2km to go and simply time trialled to the line, putting one finger on his lip as he took the title.
“I came here to prove a point,” said the champion, referring to his non selection for the Olympic road race.
“And I did that today. I’m really proud to ride in the Irish jersey and that’s why this race means so much to me every year. It was a huge blow when I got that email telling me I wasn’t on the Olympic team. There’s an appeal gone in the last few days and I can’t really say much about it. I think there are a few guys in Cycling Ireland that don’t like me for some reason and don’t want me in the Olympics. I really don’t know why but I let my legs do the talking today and there’s not much I can do about the selection.”
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