Ciarán Power absolutely owned the sprint that decided the separate A2 race at the Cycleways Cup in Navan, Co. Meath today. “I knew I felt pretty good and if I read the sprint right I knew I’d probably have a good chance.” (Picture: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Ex-professional and former Olympian Ciarán Power proved that class is permanent this afternoon when he claimed victory in the bunch gallop that settled the A2 race at the Cycleways Cup in Navan, Co. Meath.
The Comeragh CC man might have twice the years as some of the guys he beat today – and train half as much as them, but he showed that when the finish line looms he’s a match for anyone.
And he was still beaming this evening when asked what it felt like to win again.
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“I’d forgotten what it was like; I wasn’t sure where to put my hands,” he laughed.
“I think the last time I won a race was the Rás in 2008 or some time around then, it’s been a while but it was enjoyable.”
By his own admission he’s still got a long way to go before he can call himself fit, but that didn’t prevent him being in all the moves that mattered today.
“The first half of the race was hard and because I’m still overweight, I’m struggling on the hills,” he said of how events played out.
“I didn’t really do much early on but I was able to get into the swing of it then after a while - even though it hurt.
“On the third lap I went away in a group of six and we were away for nearly the full lap but we got caught with five kilometres to go.
“I knew I felt pretty good and if I read the sprint right I knew I’d probably have a chance so luckily enough, I read it well and won.
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“It was into a headwind and slightly uphill and I just got it right.”
The feeling – as is apparent from his expression in the picture above, was one of sheer joy.
“It’s amazing to win and to get the reaction I got.
“I’m in it for fun now and for the health benefits but unfortunately I’m up with the A1s now so there mightn’t be much fun from here on in!
“I work long hours and only train when I’m free.
“I have to see the kids and my wife too so it’s not like before.
“For me, I just said I’d keep going to the Rás with the aim of getting around it.
“I just have to knuckle down now and lose some weight.”
And with the humour that’s made him such a favourite on the home front he said; “I’m probably sprinting better now than when I was an actual rider.
“But I can’t really go uphill yet so I have to learn how to sprint properly!”
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