Graham Boyd was fifth at the National Cyclocross Championships last year but said he's unlikely to replicate that performance at this year's title race which takes place next Sunday (Picture: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
While he was fifth at the National Cyclocross Championships last year, Graham Boyd says a medal is “not on the cards this year” even though reigning champion Roger Aiken will not be riding.
Boyd (25) confessed his form is "a bit up and down" just ahead of the 2015 championship weekend.
He believes he has too much ground to make up on the more established names to challenge for the podium.
The XMTB McConvey Cycles man has been riding for 14 years, having taken up the sport aged 11 years.
But he feels getting the better of red-hot favourite Robin Seymour (Expert Cycles) and a host of others is simply beyond him this Sunday in Swords, north Dublin.
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“I don’t think a medal is on the cards this year," he admitted.
Boyd has moved to take the pressure off himself, but has conceded you just never know what can happen in a championship race (Photo: Toby Watson)
“There are a group of guys up at the front and they're just at another level at the moment.
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“Even matching my fifth from last year could prove difficult.
“So realistically, I’d be happy with a top 10; anything after that is a bonus.
“But with it being the national champs you’re never sure who will turn up or what category they’re going to ride.
“There are a load of guys going well this year and it’s been shown throughout the season in both leagues,” he said in reference to the cyclocross racing both sides of the border.
As well as being an extremely handy cyclocross rider, Boyd can also move on a mountain bike (Photo with thanks to William Boyd)
“Robin (Seymour), Glenn (Kinning), Ray (O’Shaughnessy), Sean (O'Tuathail), Barry (Kellett) and Evan (Ryan) would all spring to mind and the U23s are looking really good as well.
“I know Monty (David Montgomery), Darnell (Moore) and Matt (Adair) will be looking to mix things up.”
Boyd will still give his all and will follow his usual pre-race routine in the hope of pulling off a surprise.
“I’ve not raced at Swords before so we’ll plan to get down early to get a couple of practice laps in.
“After that it’s all about eating and drinking correctly; keeping an eye on the course to see how it’s racing and developing and getting a good warm-up done.
“Finishing fifth in the Ulster league this year should get me a fairly good position on the grid for the start and after that we’ll just have to keep the fingers crossed.”
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