An outstanding junior, who won Nations Cup races and was 5th in the junior TT at the Worlds, Seth Dunwoody has spoken to stickybottle on the eve of the 'Baby Giro' about his goals for the race and about stepping up to the U23 international scene this year.
Dunwoody is one of those riders everyone expected to make a seamless transition to U23 this year. What's more, the 19-year-old from Armagh was also expected to win races. And while that has been the case, for the most part, he told us: "I've definitely found it hard".
His four UCI-ranked wins last year came in sprint finishes in a Belgian classic, the Nations Cup and also racing against the watch, including at Chrono des Nations. Already this year he's won a very hard stage of Circuit des Ardennes (2.2); one suited to classics riders who can sprint. And he explained how he did it hard way, on a day that wasn't all about him.
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But when you ask him how the transition has gone from being a junior in 2024 to stepping into the more pressured, and much harder, U23 scene with Bahrain Victorious Development, he explains the 'off the bike' step up has been just as important, and tricky, as adapting to the racing.
"It's a big big jump in terms of lifestyle changes, and how chaotic it can be, with travel and so on… a big step up," he said. "You're on your own, whereas at junior level you have a lot of people helping you. But you have to think for yourself at under 23…
"It's about the small details, looking after yourself and making sure you are where you need to be at certain times and so on. You definitely have to be switched on. Obviously where I am, in this team, we're very well supported with staff. And that's made the transition much smoother."
And in terms of the racing? He again uses the phrase "a big step up".
"Everyone knows what's required, with the longer distance and it's about more physical fields. No matter what the race is like, the profile, or whether it's a one-day race or a stage race, there's always key points during the race with some kind of big fight for position on the road.
"And I think that's just the way cycling is getting. There's just constant fight for road position. But I'm loving it. In my team we're always up for the fight. I have enjoyed that. I think you're more reliant on a team at U23s compared to the juniors.
"You have that team element and you're fighting against other teams. And it's good craic now. It's hard, but I'm enjoying it."
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Winning in France for first time as U23
Dunwoody claimed the final stage at Circuit des Ardennes (2.2) back in April - after 164km into Charleville-Mézières in a sprint from a reduced bunch. However, he first had to negotiate 2,500m of climbing, working for his general classification leader on the team, Slovenian Jakob Omrzel.
On the last climb, as he was off the back on a climb the grupetto began to form around him. But he decided to dig in with a frantic chase for 10k, regaining the bunch. He then got position for the sprint and crossed the line first. However, as the race had been so chaotic - and riders were being lapped on the final circuit - at first he didn't realise he'd won.
"As I was sprinting, I just heard the commentator, with a loud megaphone, shouting and screaming 'Bahrain'," he said. "And as I crossed the line, I just kind of thought 'oh, this might be big'. And after about 30 seconds I realised I'd won it."
Dunwoody continued: "It was a pretty big shock, not only because I'd won the race, but the profile of the race and 60k prior I was working for our team later and leading them up climbs and fighting all in for the GC man. It wasn't anyone's planned, how I'd ridden that day. It was a shock to everyone. But I think they're the kind of wins that you really like."
Giro Next Gen, the early chances
Looking ahead to the Giro Next Gen - previously known as the Baby Giro - Dunwoody said Jakob Omrzel will once again be general classification team leader. The team will be rowing in behind the 19-year-old, who was 4th at Tour of Slovenia (2.Pro) last week riding for the Bahrain Victorious World Tour team.
But the Irish rider will get his chance. And those will come tomorrow, in the opening 8.4km TT in Rho, as well as Monday's stage, which may end in a sprint.
"We have three first-year U23s in the team, so we're a pretty young team. But the strength is there," he said. "We have team objectives we want to complete. But I know in the TT and even the second stage, they are something that I can maybe get my teeth stuck into. So I think the team are willing to give that opportunity.
"And they can be assured, obviously, that once I get that chance, it'll be straight onto helping the team the next day. For me it's the perfect balance. If it wasn't the case, I'd still be happy to help our GC man nonetheless. Put it's kinda nice that I might get some opportunities, hopefully, in those first couple of stages. And then I will focus on Jakob."
Dunwoody added Giro Next Gen was his team's main goal for the first part of the season season and once it was complete they would take stock and "regroup for part two". However, he is definitely planning to return home to ride the National Road Championships, including the TT in Westmeath on Thursday week.
