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Daire Feeley Reflects on Rás Tailteann: A Tale of Determination and Frustration
Daire Feeley’s performance at the 2024 Rás Tailteann was a mix of grit, determination, and frustration. The Irish cyclist, who won the race in 2022, was a key figure throughout the event, particularly on the final stage, where he found himself in a breakaway that could have secured him a second Rás victory. However, the day ended in disappointment as the breakaway lost momentum and was caught, leaving Feeley to reflect on the race with a mix of pride and frustration.
A Breakaway Effort and Frustration
On the final stage, Feeley was part of a 14-rider breakaway that looked promising for much of the day. He was the virtual race leader for a significant portion of the stage, but the group’s inability to maintain their advantage led to their eventual capture by the peloton. In a post-race interview with Sticky Bottle, Feeley expressed his frustration with the lack of cooperation from some of his fellow Irish riders in the breakaway.
“I’d be happy for you to say this in the article that I learned a lot about people,” Feeley said. “You see a lot of smiles before the race, people who you think are on your side. But once we got in the breakaway, I realized who was actually my friend. The only person who gave me an actual turn was Tom Martin, and I’m happy to call him my friend.”
Feeley was particularly critical of the tactics employed by some of his Irish counterparts, suggesting that their approach to the race was not up to the standard expected in a race of this caliber. “I didn’t know if lads were just dead, had dead legs or whatever it was, but there were times where I said to myself, are these guys here riding the Ring of Kerry or are they actually riding the Rás? The way some of them rode was very poor.”
Praise for International Riders
In contrast, Feeley had high praise for the international riders in the breakaway, particularly those from the UK. “I have to hand it to the English lads. They ride hard. I question my Irish counterparts in terms of what they’re made of after today. But I’ve learned a lot about them, which I can use going forward to win more races.”
A Week of Consistent Performance
Feeley’s performance throughout the week was marked by consistency. He was part of the breakaway on the second stage, where he gained over three minutes on the peloton, and he was active again on the third stage, though the breakaway was caught before the finish. Heading into the penultimate stage, he was sixth overall, but he lost time on the Wolftrap climb, which put him 32 seconds behind the leaders going into the final stage.
Despite the setback, Feeley remained determined. “I was virtual yellow on the road all day. I went from the gun and spent the guts of 130-140 kilometers in the breakaway. I was the virtual yellow for most of the day. It’s just such a shame to be so close and be caught in the final few percent of the race.”
Reflections on Tactics and Team Dynamics
Feeley also reflected on the tactics employed by the Irish team during the race. He was particularly critical of the decision to focus on getting Jamie Meehan up the road rather than supporting his own efforts. “Dean Harvey was very good to me, but the Irish team didn’t deserve the result they got based on the way they rode. If they had done things differently, I could have capitalized on it, and they might have gotten a stage win.”
However, he acknowledged the difficult position the Irish team was in, with Meehan being the only rider in contention for the overall. “I do accept that, yeah. Reflecting on yesterday’s result, they threw it away. But I don’t question any team’s tactics. I just ride my own race.”
A New Chapter in Life
Feeley’s performance at the Rás was all the more impressive given the significant changes in his personal life. He recently became a father, and he spoke about the challenges of balancing his cycling career with his new responsibilities. “At the beginning, recovery went out the window. I remember the first night we brought him home from the hospital, I thought, this cycling game isn’t going to work. But like a long winter of training, you have to stick with it.”
He also spoke about the support he received from his partner, Olivia, and the joy of having his son, Liam, at the race. “Liam comes before the bike. It’s the best feeling when you see him at the finish line, smiling. It’s always a nice feeling.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment of not winning the Rás, Feeley remained positive about his performance and his future in the sport. “I’m happy I gave my all. I proved a point to a lot of people today. I’ve had a lot of hassle over the past few months, especially around changing clubs. This is a nice two fingers to say, ‘Up yours.’ I ride with my legs, and I race honestly.”
Feeley’s determination and resilience were evident throughout the race, and he remains committed to his goal of winning more races in the future. “I just want to win races. That’s what I like doing. I love the challenge of pushing myself to the limit. We’re in a privileged position to be able to do this, and I want to make the most of it.”
Conclusion
Daire Feeley’s performance at the 2024 Rás Tailteann was a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite the challenges he faced, both on and off the bike, he remained committed to his goal of winning the race. While he ultimately fell short, his performance was a reminder of the grit and determination that has made him one of Ireland’s top cyclists. As he looks ahead to the rest of the season, Feeley remains focused on his goal of winning races and continuing to push himself to the limit.
