CYCLING:IRELAND'S NICOLAS Roche has said his form is good heading into the World Road Race Championships, and while he hasn't yet seen the course for Sunday's Elite road race, he is aiming to ride well.
The Ag2r La Mondiale rider finished 16th in the Vuelta a Espana just under two weeks ago and then returned to racing last Sunday in a 1.1-ranked single day event in Italy, where he was a fine eighth.
“I have been feeling okay since the Vuelta,” he told The Irish Times yesterday.
“I raced at the weekend in the Grand Prix Prato and I was happy enough with how I was feeling. That said, I could have done better – I didn’t want to take any risks in the rain on the corners at the end.
“But I was happy with my condition there.”
Roche will join up with his first cousin Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo) for Sunday’s 266-kilometre event, plus either David McCann or Matt Brammeier.
Martin was 13th in the Vuelta while McCann was 27th in Wednesday’s Elite time trial. Brammeier was feeling unwell in the race and pulled out with a sore throat.
Roche arrived in Copenhagen yesterday and said he would preview the course today. He said he is hoping the race doesn’t end in a big sprint, as is expected by some.
“I don’t really know what to expect on Sunday. The worlds has never been my big race, but why not?” he said.
“I will see the course first. I am not a fan of circuit races, but will take it as it goes and try to ride at the front and give a good performance for me, for Ireland and everyone.”
He said a top-15 finish would satisfy him.
Vuelta stage-winner Martin is clearly in excellent shape but could find the course a little flat for his liking.
Before then, Sam Bennett, Philip Lavery and Felix English will compete in today’s under-23 road race.
Bennett is a fast finisher and could do well if the event comes down to a sprint, while Lavery is likely to ride aggressively during the race.
They will be joined by Felix English, who along with Seán Downey rode Monday’s time trial. They were 52nd and 25th respectively.
Tomorrow sees both the women’s road race and the junior men’s event take place. Siobhan Horgan will compete in the former, three years after finishing 24th in Varese.
“If I have a good day I’d hope for a top 20,” she said. “But we’ll see how it goes.”
Ryan Mullen, who finished 16th in the junior time trial on Tuesday, will compete alongside Jack Wilson in their 126 kilometre event. Both have ridden well this year and will be keen to test their strength against the world’s best in their age group.
Finally, the An Post Rás na mBan was a big success last week, with a strong turnout, aggressive racing and a good atmosphere. Olivia Dillion won overall for the Irish National Team.
Fixtures: Sunday: Connacht hill climb championships; Ulster 100 mile TT championships, Woodgreen.
