Shane Coll of Jons Drogheda Wheelers was set to start stage 2 of the Gorey Three Day in the yellow jersey today after his victory in the opener yesterday afternoon.
The 19-year-old student said he had important help from his team mates yesterday right before the finish. That team work, coupled with a week off college to prepare for this weekend, resulted in his biggest win to date and his first ever yellow jersey.
He described himself as “happy out” after claiming victory in a sprint from a reduced bunch and opening a handy two-second gap to the next rider; junior international Oisin Ferrity of Island Wheelers.
“From the gun to the finish the attacks were trying to go all day and every time somebody tried to jump the entire bunch would just jump with them,” said stage winner Coll. “So I was sort of hiding, keeping myself out of the wind as much as I could.”
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Just before the finish, there was a high-speed descent which strung out the bunch before a left turn and then a drag up to the line, which Coll said was deceptively long.
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“Going into that downhill towards the sweeping left-hander before the finish I was fighting for position,” he said. “I had two team mates guarding me and giving me the wheels that I needed. I just got on the right wheel, I picked a strong lad to follow.
“It was a slower uphill finish so I just waited until the last second. I had a spot picked where I was going to go from. Then a few lads started slowing up coming towards the top (of the finishing drug) and when that happened I just went for it.
“I went around the side and I gave it my all. I got a bit of a gap and I didn't even look back, I just kept the power down until the line.”
Coll said he “wasn’t feeling great” in recent races as college – he’s in 2nd year in biological science in Technical University Dublin – had interrupted his training of late. However, a week off last week enabled him to focus on his preparation for the Gorey, which has now paid off.
“I thought I could have a chance this weekend but today there was over 1,000 metres of elevation. So I thought it might be a bit too much climbing for me to handle. I didn't really expect to get the win, especially in the first stage.”
He was now hopeful of defending the race lead on today's stage 2. With the main climbing coming quite early, and having four team mates in the race, he said he would get the hills out of the way and hope the remainder of the stage could suit him.
