Conor McCann was back racing today for the first time since he broke his back in a car crash last year. The 18-year old even managed to get amongst the prizes in a race in the race in Spain after finishing second junior. Above, competing in the colours of NRPT-Magnet.ie last year.
By Brian Canty
Eight months after breaking his back in a car crash while travelling to a race with the Nicolas Roche Performance Team, Conor McCann was back in action today and amongst the prizes in his comeback race in Spain.
Taking advantage of his mid-term break from school, the Derry youngster pinned on race numbers for the first time since the John Mulligan Memorial in Omagh last June and crossed the finish line in an elite road race in Girona in 15th.
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The Team ASEA-Wheelworx man contested the sprint for ninth after eight riders got away but he wasn’t too concerned about the result, but rather thrilled to be back racing.
“It felt great to be back racing again,” he said after a long forced lay-off with a very challenging injury.
“I felt really excited and immediately got that buzz that I missed from racing. I was keen to get stuck in and make up for lost time.
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“When I was in hospital after the crash this feeling was what I was looking forward to, this is what got me through the tough times,” he added.
Today’s race was a hard and fast one where it rained for most of the 75-kilometre affair.
“I was a wee bit nervous with the rain because I didn’t want to crash but other than that, I wasn’t nervous in the bunch or anything; it all came back to me very quickly.
“The back was fine in the race too, it was a wee bit sore the last few weeks but that’s only because I neglected the stretching and the core exercises I know I have to do.
“I missed the bigger races last year and seeing everyone else (racing) hurt a lot but I’m back now.
“I just accepted that the injury would keep me out of racing but since the winter training started I’ve been really looking forward and raring to go.”
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