“There’s no pressure on me but I want to show what I’ve got”
Jake Gray will wear the Irish national team kit at the An Post Rás. And though he is still just 19 years of age don't expect to hear him use that as an excuse for any below-par performances this week.
Brian Canty
Jake Gray will be one of the youngest riders in the field at the An Post Rás. But the 19-year old first-year espoir said he’s undaunted by the challenge he faces.
He’s based in France this year with VC Toucy. But this coming week he’ll ride for the Irish national team in what will be his first ever eight-day stage race.
“My goal is to develop and gain experience because I’m sure I’ll be doing it again in the future,” he said.
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“I think I can come out of the race strong if I race clever. And I can have a very good rest of the season.
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“But I want to help the team as well. I want to show I can be an asset to a strong team because I think we can do something.”
Gray has shown a lot of maturity and stepped up to the national U23 team for Nations Cup events this year, forcing his way into the break at Gent Wevelgem.
But the An Post Rás is a completely different beast. And it’s a race that has always had a big appeal for him.
“When I think of the Rás and I think of the most prestigious race in Ireland, the only UCI-ranked race here and for that reason it’s super exciting.
“I can do a race of this standard in my home country and I get to come home from France to ride it. It’s amazing and it should be really, really good racing.
“There’s no pressure on me but I wanna do well and show what I’ve got.
“Whatever work needs doing I’ll be happy to help and because I’m so young I’m not capable of contending for GC.
“But I am fit enough to help the team and maybe I’ll get an opportunity for myself as well.”
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