Irish Trio Set To Feature for An Post in Dutch One-Day Races
An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Racing Team are in action in the Netherlands this weekend as they compete in two Dutch one-day races as part of the 2016 European Tour. A trio of Irishmen are set to feature as Jack Wilson, Connor McConvey and David Montgomery gear up for the upcoming events.
The team will look to build upon recent encouraging results in Belgium over the past fortnight as they line out for Energiewacht Ronde van Drenthe (1.1) on Saturday, the 12th of March and Rabobank Dorpenomloop Rucphen (1.2) on Sunday, 13th March.
The Irish based outfit were in action already this week in Belgian pro kermesse, Wanzele, and team manager Kurt Bogaerts was pleased with how his team performed;
“I was very happy with how the guys did in Wanzele on Wednesday. We narrowly missed the breakaway but chased with the team very well. We actually managed to catch the lead group back in the sprints and closed the gap substantially. We rode extremely well but it was just a bridge too far for us. We can’t afford to let our intensity slip at the start because we rode really well for the rest of the race and could even have been on the podium.”
Bogaerts highlights that the team have little time to rest on their laurels;
“Our focus now lies with this weekend’s race. Another top ten finish would be exceptional. That is the aim. We definitely have the potential to be competitive this weekend, so hopefully the guys can perform well.”
Overall, the team has been achieving some excellent results of late with an eigth place finish yesterday and a strong ride from former fireman, Damian Shaw, last weekend. Bogaerts credits the regular race meetings to the Westmeath man’s increasing fitness levels.
“I’m delighted with the way Damian (Shaw) has been getting on at the moment. He just needs to find his way in a big peloton but that will come with experience. At Wanzele, we gave him the instruction to start chasing the breakaway and he was excellent at bringing it back so he is definitely capable of riding hard.”
Also among the Irishmen to feature this weekend are Jack Wilson and David Montgomery. Wilson, who is riding for An Post for a fourth successive season is expected to achieve great things in the year ahead and Bogaerts knows all too well the promise he shows;
“Jack (Wilson) has all the talent in the world and we are hoping that he will reach his peak this season. He has gotten over a short illness that he had at the start of the year and has put in a lot of kilometres on the bike. The final piece of the puzzle is for him to go out and ride hard, which will start with this weekend.”
David Montgomery, formerly of Team3M joined An Post Chain Reaction for the 2016 season and will be given a chance to prove himself this weekend and Bogaerts is looking forward to seeing the twenty year old compete.
“David (Montgomery) has put in a great block of training and has really kept his head down and worked hard since the start of the year. Saturday will be a good test to see where he is at and I’m looking forward to seeing him in action again this weekend.”
Oliver Spark-Kent is the only casualty in the An Post team as a knee issue has flared up but Bogaerts is confident it won’t keep the Australian out for too long. “Oliver (Spark-Kent) is currently undergoing treatment for his knee but it should only have him out for a week or so.”
Bogaerts concluded; “A win at this weekend’s standard of racing is never easy – but it is possible. We have a high level of riders in this crop so I expect something from our team this weekend.”