Marcin Bialoblocki (UK Youth) is enjoying his stint in the yellow jersey and seems relaxed about the pressures it brings (Photo: Adrian O'Connor - www.blackumbrellaphotography.com )
By Gerard Cromwell
Although he has been tied on time with Belfast man Connor McConvey and Dane Ramsus Guldhammer for the past three days, Polish rider Marcin Bialoblocki of the UK Youth team remains in yellow after five stages of the An Post Rás.
Today his yellow jersey came under threat came when An Post rider Shane Archbold became race leader on the road mid-stage, the Kiwi having opened a two minute gap to the peloton alongside Mike Northey of British team Node4 Giordana.
Bialoblocki however is not one to panic, letting his UK Youth team join forces with the Danish Blue Water squad to reel in the first attack while enjoying a slightly less hectic day on the Rás.
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“We wanted to keep a safe gap to the first breakaway because Archbold was 1’39’’ down before the stage,” said Bialoblocki of the maximum two and a half minute advantage the duo were allowed.
“The Danish team helped us at the front and one guy from the Canadian team. It wasn’t very hard. It was an easy day. It was actually very nice, sitting in the bunch talking to my teammates. I could chill out, with no stress. It was a very nice day.”
Again, later in the stage when both of the men tied with him on the overall classification escaped in the final four kilometres, the rider who said on stage two, when he took over as race leader, “I am riding well. I have good legs. I am not afraid of anybody,” remained calm.
“I wasn’t worried, because I knew the other teams wanted to win the stage as well. I chased for a bit, but in the end everyone started sprinting and they closed the gap.”
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Not one for chit-chat, the lanky Bialoblocki has let his legs do the talking this week and the likeable Pole has already surprised various elderly women at the stage finishes by approaching them, kissing them on the cheek and presenting them with his bouquet of flowers upon leaving the podium every day.
“It’s a nice surprise for them,” he shrugs.
“It’s nice for me too. It makes me feel good.”
Bialoblocki left his native Poland seven years ago to move to the UK, where he has since plied his trade as a professional rider. He has a seven month old son and doesn’t see himself returning to the old country any time soon.
“I like the UK,” he says.
“The racing is good. The teams are good. I have a house and a wife and a young son there now, so it is home.”
Having taken stage wins in the Rás in 2012 and 2011, he knows a thing or two about Irish roads and is well aware of the climbs that face him in the final few days.
“I have lost a bit of weight this year, so I am climbing better. I am lighter, but still, there are a lot of guys lighter than me,” he laughs.
“But I’m looking forward to it. Anything can happen. With three days in yellow, I’m happy now. If I keep it for three more days I will be even happier. If not, I will be alright.”
