Woods wins C1 Mick Lally Event in Meath

Carlow cyclist, Jack Woods, riding in the colours of Belgium team, Crabbe Dstny, got his season of to a superb start when he won his first ever Category One Race, the Mick Lally Memorial in Summerhill, County Meath on Saturday.

Already a Category three winner last season this was a gigantic leap forward for the eighteen year old who showed maturity beyond his years when out-thinking a lot of more experienced riders on the day.

Riding without a team but knowing he was facing up to some really established treams, Woods played a waiting game in the 90kms race which comprised of four laps.

“It was the first race of the season but I am well used to riding on my own,” said Jack who pointed out that the riders in a new season are testing both themselves and assessing how well rival cyclists are going.

“Being the first race of the season everyone is jumpy. They want to find out where everyone is. Nobody knows. Everyone was watching. There were a few small breaks which came to nothing over the first two laps,” noted Woods.

As the race went into the third lap the groups began to break up. A number of riders had gone to the front but there was no panic in the chasing group. Then some experienced riders and their teams rolled over onto the front. That included Dara Feeley, the number one amateur rider in Ireland.

Woods tested and probed both himself and other riders in a chasing group. 

“Three of us tried to get across but it didn’t happen. That gap went out to about a minute.” 

Over the last lap riders had to make decisions. The early breakaway was coming back to what was a group of about 30 riders.

“Teams started to co-operate and that suited individual riders like myself. That played into my hands,” noted Woods.

It was looking as if the race was Orwell’s to lose.

“In the last lap we could see the gap coming down. Cars were having to move back.” 

With 3kms to go, the small group at the front were caught.

“It was up to the strong teams to select their sprinter and I kind of worked off that. I held my position,” recalled Woods.

There was a slight uphill drag and a heavy road to the finishing line. Woods worked himself into a position where he was able to shadow Feeley. It was the perfect move and with a 100 metres to go, the Carlow teenager hit the front.

“I put my head down and said I would kick to the finish. With 15 metres to go, I couldn’t move a muscle in my arms,” revealed Woods. It was enough to beat Feeley who was just over a bike length behind in second place.

On Sunday evening as the Leaving Certificate student prepared to return to his studies and was able to reflect on what he has achieved so far in his short career.

“I would say this win ranks high with anything I have achieved so far. I have two national titles at under 16 but this one is definitely up there.”