How did you get into your sport?
I started in triathlon at around 12 or 13, but my swimming was letting me down. So I decided to switch my focus just to the bike - riding around Minet Park with the Hillingdon Slipstreamers youth club.
What do you love about your sport and competing on the international stage?
I love the idea of self-improvement. Every day there is something you can do to better yourself and improve your chosen discipline. In cycling, this is so multifaceted. Whether it be; nutrition, the equipment, long rides, explosive riding, etc. It is always varied and engaging. The competition is the reward for all of this, I have always loved competing in every sport I have participated in.
There is nothing sweeter than winning a bike race when there are over 100 guys at the start line. To be the one with your hands in the air at the end is exhilarating!
How does your usual day look during competition season?
We spend a lot of time traveling during the season, usually over to the continent and back over a weekend for one race or another. It's actually one of the things I love, being on the road with the team.
How are your days looking with the current Stay At Home directive?
I am training a lot more now than I usually would be for this time of year, a standard training week is between 25 and 35 hours a week. If we had been racing it sits between 8 to 12 hours of relatively easy riding. I also have multiple zoom calls with my strength and conditioning coach to keep myself in good balance.
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Winning the Sprints Jersey at the Tour of Britain was a great feeling - it was a hard fought race and I finished with two cracked ribs! At the time, it was more relief than joy, but I look back at that with great pride. Also, representing Ireland at the World Road Race Championships last year in Yorkshire was fantastic, a really proud day for both myself and my family.
If you weren't an athlete, what would you be doing?
I would love to work on TV, hosting, or interviewing.
What injuries have you had and how did/do they affect you?
I had been relatively lucky with injuries in cycling, that was up until 2018, which was a year wrecked by injuries. My first race of the year I broke my wrist, then whilst out training I hit a pothole and crashed again, this time breaking my collarbone badly.
How does NuroKor help your recovery?
I am really excited to get using the NuroKor products. One thing I love is that they are so portable. I can use the device whilst traveling back from races, before, I would need to have a day off following the travel home from a race. NuroKor should allow me to recover enough that I am able to make up a days training, which will be a huge gain for me.
What are the goals for you in the near future?
When racing resumes, I will be targeting the road world championships once more. I have one eye on next years Tokyo Olympics, I am currently on the shortlist for the Irish squad, this would be a dream come true for me!
