Mark Dowling dominates Nenagh: I'll always empty the tank
MARK DOWLING had plenty of time for a victory salute after finally taking top spot on the podium at the Gas Networks Ireland Visit Nenagh Classic (All photos by John Coleman)
By Jessica Lamb
MARK DOWLING finally hit the mark in the Gas Networks Ireland Visit Nenagh Classic on Sunday, laying to rest a series of near misses with an impressive solo victory.
Dowling, riding this season for Strata 3 Velo Revolution after the folding of Asea, had raced in the last four Nenagh Classics, making the podium each time.
This time though, the Meath man came home alone, taking top spot on that podium after a near 20km drive. He finished empty and gasping, but thrilled.
"I'm delighted to take the win today," he said. "I've been trying to win this race the last four years and I think I made the podium every time.
Advertisement
"It was fast and furious right from the start; with such a large field on small roads.
“I actually spent the first 40km down the back, struggling to move up," he laughed.
Commenting on his near-collapse post-race, he explained: "I always, even if I'm coming into a race out of form or a little bit sick; I'll always empty the tank one way or another."
After trying a few jumps across to the breaks, Dowling's plan for exhaustion on Sunday was a 30km solo drive.
And he might have succeeded had Aqua Blue Academy not driven the group back to him.
Top, the sprint for 2nd place. Above, eventual winner Mark Dowling tucked into the group before he made his move.
Related News
"I knew I had a bit left when they caught me," he said. "I was planning on doing a 30k effort, so I wasn't going absolutely maximum.
"I had to take a couple of minutes, get a gel, then when I hit the last climb, with 20km to go, I took a chance."
Aqua Blue Academy's Matteo Cigala thought twice about joining Mark Dowling. Last year the Italian's legs failed him in the final 400m of the 3km drag.
But Lucan's Conn McDunphy did go after Dowling, perhaps spurred on by his National team Ras Mumhan call-up
Cigala saw Dunphy as a useful carrot and pressed on.
"When I caught McDunphy I was hoping he had the legs to chase together - he's a very good time trailer," Cigala explained.
"But Conn didn't have the legs. He definitely went too soon. I got caught on the descent by a small group of maybe 10 riders.
“Then with 5k to go Sean Lacey joined us and we were now a group of about 20, with three Aqua Blue. I hoped we could catch Mark Dowling, but he was too far."
With 2k to go Lacey went alone for the second placing, but was caught on the final corner into the town centre finish.
Visiting Dutch rider Peter Merx landed the bunch sprint over Cigala; Merx's NWVG teammate Born Bakker in fourth. Lacey took 14th while McDunphy 15th.
Looking back, Cigala added: "The breakaway never really went, so for that reason we were always full gas.
“I knew I could have won the bunch sprint if we could have caught Mark Dowling."
The next big goal for Dowling will be Ras Mumhan, where he will be joined by James Davenport, Stephen Murray and possibly Bryan McCrystal.
Today’s race also hosted a return to action for An Post Chain Reaction star Damien Shaw.
Sidelined recently by a broken wrist and ribs, he was a marked man throughout and finished 16th.
Topics
