By Louise Hickey
Daire Feely enjoyed another victory yesterday at the John Drumm Memorial, with the Roscommon rider still enjoying racing, and winning, on home roads despite moving back to Continental level with EvoPro Racing this year.
At the end of yesterday’s race, Feely managed to attack and ride clear of the breakaway on a late incline with just under 1km remaining. He took victory just ahead of Paul Kennedy (Burren CC) and Conor Hennebry (Dan Morrissey Pactimo).
Feeley added his win in Co Kerry to the 2nd place he took at the Tour of Ards on Saturday. He also claimed the final stage, and the general classification, at Rás Mhaigh Eo a week earlier.
Feeley told stickybottle after yesterday's victory he wants to “build on the success of last year” by getting as many wins as possible.
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“When you’re hungry for success, you don’t just go to a race hoping you’ll get the top three,” he said. “You’re going to races, hoping that you’ll win them. Every race I go to, there’s only one thing on my mind and that is winning”.
The fast-approaching Rás Tailteann is a major goal for him but he was also clearly left with a sense of unfinished business after last year’s National Road Championships in Co Wicklow. Riding for All human-VeloRevolution at the time, he escaped in a two-man winning move with Ryan Mullen, riding for World Tour team Trek-Segafredo.
Feeley was beaten in the sprint for the
gold medal by Mullen and looking back on it now he said he “made so many stupid
mistakes last year”. Because of that –and because he is clearly capable of winning
the national crown – the championships in June are already on his mind.
“To get the national championship jersey, especially with the calibre of riders we have at the moment; that would be the main goal. I would retire a happy man at 25,” he said.
For now he will continue to mix
international racing with EvoPro Racing with the national scene, and all of the
travel in and out of the country that involves. While equally ambitious when
riding abroad, getting victories there is a different ball game, especially as
he is mixing his cycling with working this year.
However, a stage win – and maybe a lot
more – at Rás Tailteann and another crack at the Nationals are keeping him
focused on his training goals at present.
