A Review of Marc Heaney very successful Season
Marc’s Summer in Belgium
Every young sports person/athlete strives to take their chosen sport to a higher level either by training or competing with the best in their chosen sport.
Local cyclist Marc Heaney a member of Maghera’s Carn Wheelers was recently offered the chance to spend a month in Belgium to compete in UCI 1.14.3 Junior races, against some of the best Junior (16-18yrs) racers in Europe, with development teams from Spain (Alberto Contador Development Team), (Specialized USA) and British Cycling being among the depth of riders at his level.
As a first year Junior Marc made the switch to racing in A3 along with many seasoned racers, he settled into adult ranks rapidly and he didn’t have long to wait for his first open race win in the Bann Valley Classic back in April he followed this up with regular podium placings and then a win in the prestigious JG Memorial Race.
After guest riding in the Ras Dhun na nGall in June for "The Belgian Project” a talent development program set up by Belgian native Dany Blondeel, now a resident of Newtownards, Marc was given a scholarship to Belgium for the month of August 2015. He flew from Dublin on the 25 of July and was met by his guest parent for the month Martine Verfaillie in his adopted home of Moorsled in Flanders. Martine is no stranger to cycling she is in fact one of Belgium’s most well know cycling photographers, so Marc was in the perfect environment to pursue his dream. After a trip to a post Tour de France criterium where Marc had a chat to Tour winner Chris Froome it was down to business……Race time!!
Marc was joined by another Belgian Project graduate Lakeland 3Day winner Cameron McIntyre of Banbridge CC, to race two to three time a week depending on dates and post-race recovery as the average temperature was 26 degrees, some 10 degrees warmer than Ireland. In his first few races it took a short while to find his feet and get to grips with the numbers and the pace of the races. Once settled in Marc started to make regular appearances in the top six: the man in the green jersey of Carn Wheelers was marked as he was beginning to be a threat to the podium, Cameron was making steady progress into the top 20 in his first few races. The first podium came on August 16th in Tielt with the book makers shortening the odds on the Irish rider during the race, Marc came home in 3rd place, with Cameron breaking into the top ten. After a few more races and top ten placings it was time for his last Belgian race on Sunday 23rd August in Spiere-Helkijn, Marc was determined to stand on the top step of that podium. Having rode across to a breakaway in the last third of the race Marc attacked the break with a lap and a half of the circuit to go, his attack stuck and with 500m to the flag he still had an advantage on the chasing group who were gathering momentum, Marc put in a gallant effort only to be piped to the flag by British Cycling’s Ethan Hayter.
After his month in Belgium Marc gained valuable insights and experience in his sport of cycling, made new friends both on and off the competitive circuit, Marc would like to express his thanks to Dany Blondeel , The Belgian Project & Martine Verfaillie for making his dream become a reality.
Marc has recently returned from competing for Ulster in the Junior Tour of Wales & Henibont in Brittany where he had a guest ride for the Nicolas Roche Performance Team, another Junior development programme.
Now for the 2016 season!!
