Tough debut for Liam O’Brien at World Championships

Young Fermoy cyclist Liam O’Brien’s first World Championship outing at the World Junior Cyclo-Cross Championships in Arkansas, USA proved to be a tough test from the start. Because of Ireland’s poor record over the years at this level both Liam and his Irish teammate Travis Harkness were required to start at the back of the field by the organisers, the Union Cycliste Internationale.

However, despite this handicap, they worked hard from the start to work their way up through the field. Then, as can easily happen on rough cyclo-cross courses, Liam’s chain came off and jammed in his chainset. This delay caused him to drop back further in the field while getting going away.

However, he got going strongly again and worked his way back up through the field and was in 25th place at the bell for the last lap and was hoping to make his way into the top 20 before the finish.

Bad luck struck again however and his chain came off again on the last lap and with this further delay, he dropped back to 28th place at the finish.

This race brought an end to what has been an outstanding cyclo-cross season for the young Fermoy man, with many outstanding performances in his first season as a junior rider and he will be eligible again to compete in the junior grade this coming winter.

Meanwhile, Liam is looking forward to the start of the road racing season which begins at the start of March. He himself says he was delighted to have had the opportunity to represent Ireland in the World Championships. It was tough out there in the heat but he gave it his best shot.

Here at home, the Fermoy Cycling Club Sunday spin will leave from the town park gates at 9am on Sunday.