Eoin McCarthy in action on the roads of Belgium in the colours of his Terra Footwear team (Photo: Cindy VanBosbek)
Having been based in Belgium with the Terra Footwear team this season, U23 international Eoin McCarthy has been cramming a lot of experiences into what has proven to be a roller coaster year thus far. He has had his share of bad luck, but of late did well with the Irish team in Holland. And intent on trying to race smarter, his results have improved and he has injected some consistency into his riding, as he tells us in his latest dispatch.
If there's one thing I've learned from being in Belgium this season it's that most of the time cycling doesn't go your way.
It's a roller-coaster of emotions and seems to have a terrible habit of kicking you in the face just when you’re thinking things are starting to get better.
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I've had to overcome many disappointments this year but I'm using them as my motivation; the fuel for my fire!
In the company of Niko Eeckhout and Jens Kuekilare in Roeselare, I've been on the upward spiral in July and August; so far. Fewer crashes - only two - more results and higher morale.
I could almost smell the flowers while in Holland where I came very close to my first real chance of winning this season and I bagged some top tens in the kermesses. Really, I can't believe how fast this season is moving on; time flies when you’re having fun eh!?
In early July my Dad and brothers were staying with us here in Belgium for a few weeks. It was nice to have the boys around and brought a bit of normality to our sometimes monk-like lifestyle; a very nice distraction.
While they were here I raced GP Jempi Monsere (pro race) in Roeselare and in Knesselare where I placed 9th after a race-long breakaway. I attacked early in the finale to try and get the win but misjudged how strong my breakaway companions were and ended up leading them out for the sprint.
Regardless, I was very happy with how my condition was leading into the "Tweedaagse Venhuizen" which I was riding with the Irish national team that weekend.
On Friday July 12th, I met the Irish boys in Amsterdam and we travelled to Venhuizen to set up before the two days of racing. The race was the usual Dutch style - a constant fight to stay at the front, with the racing unfolding in either one long line or a complete road block. One word sums it up - chaos!
Stage 1 was a 10km team time trial, which was a first experience for us all. Safe to say, it was not an event that I enjoyed very much, especially when you’re doing it on a road bike with no TT equipment. I averaged an abnormal 188bpm for the 12-13minutes. Pain!
After such a hard effort we finished with no result. We had a circuit race that evening which proved a war of attrition. I finished up in the much whittled down peloton in 36th place.
On stage 3 I was so gutted to miss a golden opportunity of a podium, or even a win. The 160km stage saw a break of roughly 20 get away with 50km to go and establish a gap of close to 2 minutes, although within the last lap we had them in our sights.
I seized the opportunity to make my move and jumped from the peloton with 7km to go. I bridged with one of the Vacansoleil U23s who was 2nd overall and we made it to the front of the race with only 3km to go.
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I stayed quiet up front and kept following the wheels. I have never been so confident in my ability before. I set myself up perfectly for the final corner and next thing I knew I was picking myself up from the asphalt.
My tubular rolled with 300m to go and left me with nothing from the day but a stiff body and road rash. With all the adrenaline pumping, I gave the Dutch fans a show. I put my bike over my shoulder cyclocross style and ran to the line. I didn't make it before the peloton but received the biggest cheer of the weekend.
As I crashed within 3km of the finish I was awarded the same time as the winner. Big thanks to Cycling Ireland for such a nice weekend.
When it rains it really does pour. That evening after the stage I found out my grandfather had passed away. Never the news you want to hear. RIP Grandad, I'll do you proud!
When I got back from Ireland after the funeral, I was more motivated than ever to get stuck into training and racing again. I've been racing frequently and have earned myself some nice results; a few top 10s with a nice 6th place in Deinze, along with numerous top 20s.
I've been putting myself in the right positions and making smarter decisions that are helping me get some solid results.
I'm really enjoying my racing and I'm really starting to get the hang of the style, so fingers crossed this run will continue for the remainder of the season.
I’m doing a five day stage race this week, into the weekend. "Ronde van Oost Vlaanderen" is a new U23 tour which is supposed to be the biggest U23 race the country has to offer. Stages 4 and 5 are local to us so I am excited to race on familiar roads and looking forward to a good week with the Terra boys.
Here's to the final stretch of the season; let's make it a good one.
Cheers
Eoin
@Eoin_McCarthy
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