Richard Hooton, leading, says complacency led to his dip in form last year but he has redoubled his efforts for 2014 and has some big goals for the season ahead (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)
By Brian Canty
Richard Hooton has left his Visit Nenagh-Team DMG squad of the last two seasons in favour of the newly-formed Osbourne Meats/Edge Sports Racing team, hoping that a new coach and a new environment can see him deliver on his potential.
The 22-year-old Corkman admitted the season just gone was “very poor” but with a final year in college to contend with, he said he was always on the back foot.
“Let’s not sugar coat it, 2013 was very poor for me,” he said.
“I could say that with my final year in university I was very busy but that’s not the whole truth. I just took my eye off the ball. I was complacent, thinking my great form from last year would carry through and I wouldn’t have to work as hard for this year. But now I know things don’t work like that.”
Advertisement
Though he did win Rás Clár from a strong break in mid summer, he said that win was nothing more than “a flash in the pan”, adding he is targeting some big performances next year.
The Mallow man will now ride in a team with fellow Corkman and former An Post-Sean Kelly rider Paidi O’Brien, amongst others. But he’s also not ruling out another stint of racing in Europe.
“I have a very strong opinion on racing abroad,” he explains.
“I think taking the step to move abroad and base yourself in Belgium or France is the right way forward if you want to turn pro or give it a good shot. But I think the right to do that has to be earned.”
“It seems to me there's some lads who woke up one morning and out of the blue decided they wanted to move to France just because they won a league race and some old lad in the club told them they were good once. Some lads are more suited to racing on the continent and thrive on it. But I think it’s better to be the best in Ireland first before taking the step.”
Related News
Next season he would be looking to races like the Des Hanlon Memorial, The Shay Elliott Memorial, Visit Nenagh Classic, Kerry Group Ras Mumhan, An Post Rás and National Championships.
“If I can go to those races and be a hammer not a nail then I will decide after the nationals,” he said of racing abroad for part of next year.
To that end, Hooton has enlisted the coaching expertise of Jonathan Gibson and is clocking around 20 hours a week on the bike at present, as well as working a similar number of hours in a local leisure centre.
He believes with the right training and a bit of luck, he has the potential to even challenge for a stage win at the Rás.
“Based on my most recent power testing and previous tests I know I’ve the capability to win the likes of Rás Mumhan, the Hanlon, the Elliot.”
He already felt his power was at a new level thanks to the changes in his training.
“I could push for a stage win in the Rás; I know that for certain, physically. Of course transferring your power from the lab to the road is a totally different kettle of fish. You need racing smarts and luck.”
“I will be entirely honest, when it comes to big bunch riding I've always had a weakness; my bike handling isn't up to scratch. I've never fulfilled my potential in big races like the Rás. I always get caught the wrong side of the splits.”
“But I'm taking some positive action towards fixing that. Jonathan has me doing a lot of balance work in the gym and I've taken up mountain biking a few times a week to improve the handling skills. Hopefully it'll pay off.”
Topics
