Tim O'Regan has hopes of riding the World Championships after throwing himself into the deep end in Milton Keynes yesterday (Photo: Richard Bennett)
By Brian Canty
Despite having only taken up the discipline in recent years, Timmy O’Regan has made a seamless transition to cyclo-cross.
And he has just had a weekend to remember at the UCI World Cup at Milton Keynes.
The DID Dunboyne man was one of three Irish riders on the start line of the elite men’s event, alongside David Montgomery and Glenn Kinning.
While a non finisher, he believes he’ll be better for the experience.
“It was class; these guys are on another level,” he said.
“It was such a good experience and the crowds were awesome.”
The fact his father was missing from the crowd due to work commitments was one downside.
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“I could only hear myself breathe on one part of the lap, it was that loud,” he said of the 2.6km loop that turned into a complete mud bath.
“There was just a wall of noise; it was a really incredible top day.”
But for O’Regan, it was all over before it began thanks to some bad luck.
“The first quarter was always going to be technical; we knew we were on the back foot.
“And it was always going to be a hard task to finish the race,” he said of an event featuring some of the biggest names in the world.
“So the plan was to get as good a start as we could and get around the first corners without any mishaps and try to get in a group with a few lads,” he explained.
However, those plans immediately came unstuck.
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O'Regan was pulled out of the race with a couple of laps to go but was still delighted with the experience (Photo: Graham Robbins)
“Glenn and David got caught up in a crash and my chain got stuck in my frame.
“So the three of us suffered. But that’s racing; it was just great to be there.”
O’Regan said it was difficult to compare the level of racing with anything he had ridden before, even the Rás where he has raced against some very strong professional riders.
“These guys we rode against are at a higher level than the Rás guys I’d say.
“Sven Nys rides the Tour of Belgium and a few more too so they’re the next level up again.
"You couldn’t compare it to the Rás; I’ve been in lots of line outs in the Rás and gone up Mamore Gap and they’re easier than what we went through yesterday.
“Just the speed and the power and the technical side of it; getting on and off the bike, getting your foot out multiple times on different sides.
Even before the racing began the course was a complete mud bath and the crowds were packed in for Saturday's practice run (Photo with thanks to Max Power)
“It’s another level, and they’re fitness is higher than guys at the Rás.”
He’ll now turn his attention to the national championships on January 11th.
“I’ve always struggled at the nationals so I’m going to say no,” he commented when asked about his chances of a medal.
“But anything is possible, I’ve never even been top 10 and I’ve been motoring for them.
“So we’ll see how we go, it all depends on the day and you need a lot of luck.
“After that then hopefully we can get some backing from Cycling Ireland and get to the worlds, that’d be a huge goal.”
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