Roche set for Le Tour after terrific national win
Ag2r had left four places open going into road race championships in Ireland and France over the weekend and, after his team-mates failed to make the podium in France it was virtually certain he would follow his illustrious father, Stephen, into the world’s greatest race following yesterday achievement.
And the national championship was one achievement that eluded Stephen who won the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and world championships in one fell swoop in 1987.
But yesterday his eldest son turned in the performance of a lifetime to outwit An Post/Sean Kelly team-mates Paidi O’Brien and David O’Loughlin in a sensational finish to Irish cycling’s pennant.
This trio were the survivors of a 13-man breakaway group that was established at Ash Hill on the very first lap. Most of the contenders were in the group that also included a third An Post/Sean Kelly rider, Ronan McLoughlin, the newly crowned national criterium champion, Paul Helion (South Dublin), tough Fermoy man, Stephen Barrett, Martyn Irvine (Curran Racing), Urban Monks (Eurocycles), Robin Kelly (Comeragh), Philip Lavery and Sean Downey. Sam Bennett (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) was chasing behind with a group led by Paul Griffin.
“I missed the group and I was one of the last to get across with Davy (O’Loughlin),” Roche said. “It was good to be able to get into a strong rhythm straight away and slowly wear the opponents out. The ideal situation was a long break with all the top guys there. That’s my type of racing.”
Paidi O’Brien split the group going out on the penultimate lap and on the final lap Nicolas Roche launched a ferocious attack that brought him right up to the front where he became involved in a titanic struggle with Paidi O’Brien and David O’Loughlin.
O’Brien attacked and O’Loughlin attacked when they reached the bottom of the climb for the final time but each time Roche had the answer.
“The strongest man won on the day,” O’Brien said. “We both gave it everything on the way in because I was thinking if we could hold him maybe Davy would win the sprint.
“It was not easy riding there in the end with Paidi and Davy,” Roche said. “I was thinking they were playing Paidi’s card. I was more worried about Paidi because I knew Davy was riding 100% in the front group so I was more marking Paidi. When I attacked on the climb I said it’s now or never and it worked out.”
Paidi O’Brien who has been second twice and third twice in this race, admitted the strongest man won.
“He is racing at a higher level,” he said. “He will probably be riding the Tour de France next week.”
O’Loughlin agreed: “He is just so strong and he kept it going all the way to the finish.”
As expected, the junior men’s race resulted in a head to head between last year’s runner-up Charles Prendergast (Mayo Wheelers) and Marcus Christie from Banbridge, who was coming off five wins.
Prendergast who just completed his Leaving Cert, was having only his third race of the year but, when the chips were down, he beat Christie in a sizzling two-man sprint.
“I just wanted to win,” said Prendergast who is hoping to study Biochemistry in Galway next year. “Marcus attacked a lot but I couldn’t let him get away. I wanted it too much.”
Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers) was a surprise winner of the women’s title when she outsprinted US-based Olivia Dillon (Touchstone) in a thrilling finish to Saturday’s showpiece, with junior rider, Mary Costello finishing in third.
Pre-race favourite, Siobhan Dervan (Fenixs), was going for five in a row and made several attempts to get clear but, each time, was reeled in and would eventually finish sixth.
Martin O’Loughlin (Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers) was going for his third National Vets’ Road Race Championship in a row but was thwarted by his clubmate, Rory Wyley, who hails from Dungarvan.
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