Bryan McCrystal insists he has mentally digested the failure of his amazing effort to win a Rás stage in a long range solo move. And he is ready for more on the race; in the remaining stages and future years (Photo: Ger Cusack)
By Brian Canty
Bryan McCrystal put in a performance for the ages at the An Post Rás on Monday, going close to landing what would have been the greatest win by a county rider in the modern era.
The Team ASEA man spent over 100 kilometres out front in the break; first with three others before he dropped them one by one on the road from Carlow to Tipperary.
Alas, he was caught by the bunch on the category three climb of Aherlow with around 10 kilometres to go and the dream was shattered.
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But he’s not done yet for this week; not by a long shot.
“It was a good effort, it would have been a miracle had I pulled it off though,” reflected the Dundalk man.
“There wasn’t any point in thinking I had it won because I know the calibre of the guys I’m riding against and I know how fast they ride the last 10-15k.
The Big Mc pulls himself up the climb of Aherlow; an ascent he will never forget; losing two minutes and his chance of a stage win on it (Photo: Ger Cusack)
“It was just unfortunate the climb came where it did and how hard it was.
“It wasn’t a category three in anyone’s eyes but it was in the manual and I knew it was there.
“It was always going to be a tall order once we got away. I nearly sat up at one point.
“There were only four of us and that was whittled back to three, so you’re kind of thinking; ‘is this wasted energy? There’s six more days to go’.
“But I just kept going. The gap kept going out, kept going out.”
In the move was Hugo Robinson (Neon Velo Cycling Team), Simon Ryan (Mego Racing Team) and Dominic Jelfs (Madison Genesis), though Robinson didn’t last long.
Coming over the finish line on Tuesday's stage to Bearna; he was 20th on the day (Photo: George Doyle)
“We held it for a while, then Simon went and it was just me and Dominic.
“The same happened Dominic. I asked him was he okay and he wasn’t so I just put the head down and gave it my all, settled into a rhythm.
“When I got motoring on my own I pulled the gap out again but on the back road before the climb I went through a bad patch and when I hit the climb it was lights out.
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“It was heart-breaking to be caught but in no way am I dwelling on it, I mean that.
“All the lads are congratulating me on it but if someone else says it I’ll hit them!”
Since then he’s enjoyed something resembling cult hero status, if that’s possible for a 34 year-old amateur cyclist.
Discussing the race ahead with Waterford's Robin Kelly before the off from Carlow to Tipperary on Monday (Photo: Sean Rowe)
“When I was riding along on my own it was crazy!,” he recalled.
“Everyone knew me in the towns. It was like I had everyone shouting for me, twitter, everywhere, my phone went crazy, I haven’t even responded to most people.
“But at the end of the day, without sounding naff, I didn’t win. It was a good effort; win or bust and I bust.”
Despite that, it hasn’t dissuaded him from going again if the time comes. So is that likely to be the closest he’ll come to winning a Rás stage?
“No, no, definitely not. I’ll have plenty more Rásanna in me.
“Form and legs don’t disappear and I’ll live to fight another day. That’s the type of character I am, I don’t dwell on things.
In time trial action on stage 1 of the Tour of Ulster in Belfast (Photo: Toby Watson)
“It was good to be up the road and get a bit of coverage but I’ll try again another day.
“I was vocal before saying I could win but there’s plenty other lads who can win.
“The difference between us county lads and the international or pro teams is they’re so switched on.
“They know how to play the game, they know the precise moment. It’s like a science and the An Post lads are working it well this week.
“But I’ve been unlucky; a mechanical, a couple of crashes.
"I crashed again today which put me into the third group but this week isn’t done. There’s three more stages…”
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