Cyclist Blackwell to represent Ireland

FRESH from claiming the National Scratch Championship last week, Killarney’s, John Blackwell is set to represent Ireland at the World Championships in Manchester in a fortnight’s time. The event will mark John’s 11th appearance in the world games

Blackwell, who is currently an unattached rider, is tasked with completing 80 laps of 250m of the indoor track. As the event takes place within an indoor velodrome – of which there are none in Ireland.

Blackwell came out of retirement four years ago and in the earlier part of his career, raced in the peloton with cycling superstars such as Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish. Six time Olympic Gold medallist, Sir Chris Howe was another who did battle with John. At that point Wiggins was laying the foundations for a career that would see him etch him name into the history books. Of Cavendish, he says: “He always had the arrogance required to make it to the top”.

Cavendish himself rode the youth tour of Kerry on four occasions in the 90s – never winning a stage.

Having made the final of last year’s World Championship – Blackwell has been following a 12 month plan implemented with Coach, Mark Kiely.

“I am faster, stronger and fitter than I was last year and I think a top ten finish is realistic.”

Having ridden in the professional ranks with a team in Brittany, France, in the early part of his career, Blackwell is well aware of the financial implications associated with chasing the cycling dream. Thus, the support he receives from Dave O’Sullivan of O’Sullivan Cycles in Killarney is very welcome.

“Dave was a school friend of mine and has been a very good to me. I am truly grateful for the support,” he said.