Paying it forward in Carrick-on-Suir: Sam Bennett (centre) in Sean Kelly Square on New Year's Day where Carrick Wheelers met to acknowledge his progression to the NetApp-Endura team. Among those gathered were Martin O'Loughlin (left) who has coached and mentored Bennett since he was a kid and Sean Kelly (right) who has done the same (Photo: Joe Cashin)
On the first day of a New Year, one of the oldest cycling clanns in the country met in a square named after its most famous son to send off its young hopeful to the trenches of professional cycling in Europe, writes Barry Meehan.
January 1st is always associated with fresh starts; new beginnings. For some that can mean resolutions broken by midday. For others it can mean a life-changing event.
This morning in Carrick on Suir, in a town square named after one of the greatest cyclists of all time, a cycling club gathered to recognise a club mate as he set off to join the elite of world cycling.
Advertisement
The rain eased as the crowd gathered in Sean Kelly Square.
Old and young members of Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers came to wish Sam Bennett well for the year ahead as a member of the NetApp Endura pro team.
Also present were Sam’s proud and always supporting parents Mike and Helen and girlfriend Tara. They were joined by friends and local town councilors, who all came to wish Sam well.
It was a real landmark day for a club which has consistently produced elite riders and national champions.
For the likes of Martin O’Loughlin, who coached and developed Sam through the years, and Paul Lonergan - who is always there in the support car - it was an especially satisfying moment.
Rory Wyley, Hugh Mulhearn and Sean Hahessy seemed pleased that the multitude of long hard winter miles in their company would now stand Sam in good stead.
Looking around the square, as photographers Joe Cashin, Johnny Troy and Karen Edwards began shooting their cameras; I noticed that everyone had smiles on their faces.
Related News
There was a really good atmosphere and it felt like one of those moments that will be remembered for years to come.
The great Sean Kelly was there, enjoying the occasion and the chance to wish Sam well; a young rider who has spent the past three seasons riding for his An Post Sean Kelly team.
The experience gained under the tutelage of Sean and team manager Kurt Bogaerts will surely stand to Sam as he takes the next step up.
Kelly’s exploits inspired a generation of Carrick cyclists like Sam. And there were a good few young riders there today who are visibly being inspired by Sam.
One was even willing to put a time frame on how soon he would be following in his wheel tracks. The future of cycling in Carrick looks safe for many years to come.
As the riders lined up to form a guard of honour, Sam demonstrated some of his bike handling skills that have seen him compared to Peter Sagan on more than one occasion.
First, at almost a standstill, he raised his arms aloft for the photographers. Then through the narrow gap he rose up his front wheel and popped a wheelie down through the middle of the guard of honour, again at a speed slow enough to allow lots of photos to be taken for posterity.
Then it was time for a spin up to Clonmel and the mountain road.
Riding along in the group I wondered to myself how many other sports can ordinary athletes get to train with the top professionals and former a former world number one. I was reminded once again just how great a sport cycling really is.
Sam has the best wishes of a nation of cyclists going with him as embarks on the next level of his career. And we are all looking forward to cheering him on and screaming at Eurosport on the TV as he notches up many more victories on his way to a glittering career.
Barry
http://www.worldwidecycles.com
Topics
