Sean Downey - leading - has been quietly going about his early season business in Belgium and seems to be shaping up nicely ahead of the Tour of Normandy, a race with a lumpy parcours that should suit him (Photo: Lydia Van de Meerssche)
By Graham Healy
Seán Downey (An Post – Chain Reaction) had a solid performance in today’s UCI 1.1 Nokere Koerse in Belgium. He came home in 25th place in the same time as winner Kenny Dehaes of Lotto-Belisol, with Tom van Asbroeck (Topsport Vlaanderen) and Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr) completing the podium.
Jack Wilson was next best of the Irish in 71st place with Conor Dunne in 142nd and Marcus Christie listed amongst the non-finishers.
An early break had gotten clear which included dangermen such as the Omega Pharma – Quick Step duo of Geert Steegmans and Iljo Keisse.
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But they were brought back with 14 kilometres remaining. The race ended in a bunch sprint with Downey finishing towards the front.
This result follows on from his 12th place in Sunday’s Omloop van het Waasland.
Next up for the An Post-Chain Reaction team is Friday’s Handzame Classic, where all four Irish riders are set to start.
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Then comes one of Downey’s early season aims, the Tour of Normandy, where he will be joined by Ryan Mullen on the team.
After a good winter, Downey is hopeful of getting some wins this season, and he told sticky bottle last week that Normandy is a race that suits him. His form so far this season, suggests that a good result is not too far away.
Sean Downey - the green-clad An Post-Chainreaction rider on the right - contesting the sprint in Sunday’s Omloop van het Waasland. He took 12th place, a good result for a rider not regarded as a sprinter and an indication he is going well this year (Photo: Nadiri Daelemans)
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