By Shane Stokes
The first yellow jersey of the An Post Rás 2014, Robert Jon McCarthy had a dream debut in the event, winning his first ever stage of the race.
The An Post Chainreaction rider has made clear that he is not planning to sit back for the rest of the race, with his ambition continuing to burn after hitting the line first in Roscommon.
“The rest of the week is [about] either trying to win again or to help one of the other guys to win,” he told stickybottle, referring to his team-mates.
“And if we find ourselves in a GC spot with one of the other guys or myself, to just try to finish that off and do the best ride we can for the team.”
McCarthy was born and raised in Ireland, competing here as an underage rider, but then emigrated with his family.
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“I lived in Ireland until I was thirteen, then my family moved over to Adelaide in Australia,” he said.
“I basically declared for Australia in 2011 so I could race for the national team there. I suppose that is where I have done most of my racing so I feel, as a cyclist, Australian.”
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McCarthy underlined his talent earlier this year when he won a stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour.
That marked him out as a rider who could taken on and beat established professionals. And if things continue going to plan, it seems clear a big pro career could lie ahead.
Racing as part of the WorldTour is the ambition of many young riders but for now he’s content to be part of the Continental-ranked An Post Chainreaction setup.
“It is really good, really well run,” he said of the team he joined over the winter.
“I have never been in a team as professional as our team. Kurt [Bogaerts] and the rest of the staff work really hard to provide us with the opportunity to try to get results. It is a really nice team to be part of.”
Watch the video above to see McCarthy give his opinion on the opening stage of the An Post Rás, explaining how team tactics were fundamental to his success.
He also gives his impression of the race and answers a question about whether or not he would be tempted to compete again as an Irish rider.
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