Nicolas Roche has said the decision to miss the National Championships was not taken lightly and is in no way meant to disrespect the race or those organising it (Photo: Sirotti)
By Brian Canty
Nicolas Roche has defended his decision to skip this year’s National Road Championship and has hit out at some critics for some “harsh” comments about his decision not to ride the title race in Omagh at the end of the month.
Roche has decided to miss the championships this year to focus on the Tour de France which starts a week later in Utrecht.
He will be one of Team Sky’s main men for the three-week Grand Tour.
Roche explained that riding the nationals was not only difficult from a preparation point of view but also logistically tough.
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“It wasn’t an easy choice to skip them,” he explained.
“I was reading some of the comments on stickybottle and some are quite harsh.
“I think I’ve ridden eight nationals; I don’t think there are many at home who’ve done that many.
“So being criticised for not coming… I understand the situation but there’s choices to be made.
“Sometimes they’re easier (to ride) than others. This year (we have) a training camp before the Dauphine and another after it.
“And leaving early for the Tour with the team time trial preparation just means that I’d have had two or three days at home in the whole month. And I also, unfortunately, need to take a break.
“There’s a lot of travelling to go back to Ireland and it’s a big stress to come back for the nationals, not for the actual race but the logistical side of it.
Roche won the national title in 2009 and rode the Tour de France in the champion's jersey in the following weeks, with many fans delighted to see the jersey on the biggest stage.
“It’s always a tough event to go back for; I’d like to and I will come back.
“I appreciate the fact the course is quite decent; it’s a tough course where some other years the course might not have suited some of us (professionals).
“They seem to be highly promoted in Ireland as well, it’s a tough decision but if you really think about the big picture people will understand my decision for not coming.”
And he insisted the title race was important to him.
“The nationals give you the chance to wear the jersey (of national champion),” he said.
“I remember one of my greatest pleasures was wearing the nationals jersey in the Tour; it was absolutely phenomenal.
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“I know what it’s about and believe me, I would give a lot to be back in that position.
“It’s not something that I disrespect because I know, winning the nationals in 2009 made me go to the Tour and riding with the jersey was amazing and I’d love to do it again.
“It’s not an easy decision but it’s the right one," he added, before saying he did not believe the date should be changed so suit the pro riders.
“I don’t think the nationals need to be changed, it’s the perfect date because then (if it was changed) it would be even more difficult because it’d clash with (Tour de) Suisse or another race and be worse.
“I think Dan (Martin) was there last year, I was the only one (of the professionals) missing so I do think it’s unfortunate and it happens.
“In other countries, not everyone does it either but because we’re a small country with a few in the WorldTour and three of us not going this year, I think that’s unlucky.
Winning the national road title in Dunboyne, Co Meath, back in 2009; a victory he said meant a huge amount to him and which he would love to repeat.
“I’m defending the others as well (Sam Bennett and Dan Martin) by saying we’re not disrespecting the nationals, we love the jersey.
“I’m sure Dan would love to have it on his shoulders riding the Tour and myself too so they’re not easy decisions.
“I do think this year is unfortunate, three of us are not coming but it’s more a question of being unlucky rather than saying ‘it’s the same again’.
“That’s not the case; last year everyone was there (except me), the same the year before and 2012 too except Dan because he was injured.
“Most of the years we’re all there. I’m sorry for the organiser because of the effort he puts in but it’s more bad luck as opposed to anything else.”
Roche will continue his preparation for the Tour with the week-long Crietirum du Dauphine which starts tomorrow, Sunday.
There, he will be team mate Chris Froome’s domestique and his job is to do all he can to protect the 2013 Tour winner’s overall chances.
“Chris is a rider who likes to keep himself good for this time of the year; he usually comes around.
“We’re coming into the race with high hopes and it’d be great to win obviously; every race he attends he wants to win."
"In the Volta A Catalunya, he wasn’t at his best shape but I’m pretty sure he’s strong again and hopefully he has a good week.
“I’ll stick to my usual role in supporting him, that’s what I’m here for and try to make sure everything goes well.”
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