Eoin McCarthy is returning to Belgium for his second season there full-time; he gets 2014 underway proper with a 10-day training in Spain starting next week.
Last year proved an eventful one for U23 international Eoin McCarthy while racing for the Terra Footwear team in Belgium. But though he hit the deck no fewer than seven times, he also bagged five selections onto Irish teams. And he believes he's a stronger and smarter rider after what was a very tough season. With the new campaign almost upon us, he’s preparing to leave his native Fermoy in Cork for the Continent to do it all again.
Happy New Year Everyone; 2014 is finally here. After a somewhat "mixed" 2013, I can only hope this year will treat me a little better.
Reflecting and being positive on 2013 - I feel I had a successful and productive year. I've learnt a hell of a lot from the past 12 months, and not only on the racing front.
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As well as being a stronger and smarter bike rider, I’m now a much stronger individual. I've shown perseverance through all the tough times I endured early in the season.
I showed that if I was ever going to quit, it would have already happened. I'm still pedaling, and better than ever.
Here's my 2013 in numbers:
- 683 - Hour's spent riding.
- 21, 995 - kilometres ridden, training & racing.
- 136,640 - Metres of Elevation Gain
- 322 - Activities
- 434 - Personal Records
- 65 - Race days
- 5 - International Caps
- 7 – Crashes
It’s the New Year now, so it’s time to look ahead. That's why your eyes are on the front of your head; to look forward.
It’s been quiet as of late; I've been enjoying my down time, but still riding my bike after after a hectic season. Since getting home from Belgium in October I've been thoroughly enjoying my time at home in Fermoy in Cork.
It may be a cliché, but there really is no place like home. I've been spending quality time with my family and friends and just enjoying myself. I've even been to Norway to visit one of my best friends which was a fantastic trip.
For around a month I tried to live a somewhat normal lifestyle for a guy my age. I enjoyed some nights on the town, indulged a little, went shopping; just the normal things.
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It was a perfect period to have a break and when it was over I was recharged, eager and hungry to get cracking with my preparation for the coming season.
Everything (touch wood) is going to plan so far. I’m looking forward to another year with the Terra team in Belgium and I hope it proves to be one to remember.
I’ll return to Belgium in early March to get my season underway. I’ve a lot of goals for the 2014 season, but I won't go into too much detail on those just yet.
One thing that I’m delighted to say is that I’ll have the great honour of being supported by the Dave Rayner Fund through the coming season.
The fund has been set up in memory of the late Dave Rayner; one of the best professional riders in the UK who was killed in tragic circumstances.
The aim of the fund is to assist ambitious riders living and racing abroad to make a successful pro career; just like the rider whose memory it honours.
I’ll give my best to justify their belief in me, and hope to obtain some top results to make them and everyone else around me proud.
Next up for me - in 10 days and for 10 days - is a training camp in Mallorca, Spain. I’m looking forward to getting away to some fairer weather conditions, and new training roads and hopefully we’ll all make the most of it.
I’ll keep you informed here on stickybottle in the months ahead, though hopefully the next posts will be about the progress I’m making and won’t be quite as eventful as the first portion of last season.
Thanks for reading.
Eoin
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