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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
HUTCHINSON, DILLON AND DUNNE TAKE IRISH TIME TRIAL TITLES
By Shane Stokes
21 Jun 2012,
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British-based rider Michael Hutchinson was quickest in the Cycling Ireland national time trial championships in Cahir this evening, clocking a time of 43 minutes 49.52 seconds for the 35 kilometre distance.
The TT specialist beat future Irish Olympian Martyn Irvine (RTS Racing) by 35.51 seconds, with Tour de France-bound Nicolas Roche (Ag2r la Mondiale) having to be satisfied with third, 49.7 seconds back. Defending champion Matt Brammeier (Omega Pharma Quick Step) didn’t perform as well as last year, finishing fourth, two minutes 23.28 seconds behind Hutchinson. He said afterwards that he was on an off day and had no power in his legs.
Hutchinson was third last year and was, as expected, very happy to take gold. “This is brilliant,” he said. “It was a much nicer day than it was last year – last year the heavens opened on us and I froze half to death. I think the weather this year suited me a bit better. The course suited me and I gave it my best shot; winning is terrific.”
Hailing from Ulster but being based in Cambridge, Hutchinson is not as well known internationally as Roche and fellow WorldTour rider Brammeier. In Ireland, Irvine is also better known, and will represent Ireland in the Olympic Games in a few weeks.
It meant that for those who don’t know about Hutchinson’s dominance of the British TT scene, the result might have been a surprising one. He said that his dedication to this discipline was the key.
“In England there is a whole time trial culture which really doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. I am not a pro any more but I did that professionally for quite a few years and I was in a position to make a career out of doing that,” he said. “I am a lot better at time trialing than I am at road racing, and since I got the opportunity to do what I enjoy and what I was good at, that is what I did. I guess that is why I can come to event like tonight against guys like Nicolas, Martyn and Matt and get a result is because I have had the opportunity to specialize in this.”
US-based Olivia Dillon (Now and Novarti) was best of the women, beating Mel Spath (Cycleways) and Siobhan Horgan (GSD Gestion). She took 51 minutes 25.64 seconds to cover the 35 kilometres, 21.52 faster than Spath and one minute 31.42 up on Horgan.
“I am absolutely thrilled to come back and regain the jersey. I was aiming for it all years and it means an awful lot to wear the jersey in the US where I ride,” she said. “It means a lot to the team, a lot to me, and I will be really proud going back and wearing the skinsuit in time trials going forward. You just want to represent it well all the time…it is good.”
The separate under 23 race went to Conor Dunne (VL Technics), who beat Sean Downey (An Post Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) and Aaron Buggle (Apoge Super U). The latter was originally awarded the jersey but then it was discovered that some of the results had been miscalculated by the timing judges. The error was spotted before the riders left, but Buggle was understandably upset to go from first to third in the space of a few minutes.
The championships continue in nearby Clonmel on Saturday with the veterans’ road race and the women’s event. The race for Elite and under 23 men will take place on Sunday.
Irish national time trial championships, Cahir (35km):
1, Michael Hutchinson (In Gear Quikvit) 43' 49.52"
2, Martyn Irvine (RTS Racing) 44' 25.03" at 35.51"
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