Sean McKenna was selected for the six-man Irish team for the Elite Men’s Road Race at the UCI Road World Championships in Bergen, Norway last weekend. The Dubliner was making his debut at the race and had an excellent performance, making it into the break of the day.
Below he describes his ride that day, how he has made improvements over the year and his hope that his An Post-Chain Reaction team will find a new sponsor for next season, giving the 23 year-old another opportunity to progress.
Sean McKenna’s World Championship Diary
You don’t get too many days like that on the bike. It was amazing, absolutely amazing. It was the stuff you dream of as a kid.
It was funny. During the week, a lot of the lads that I train with were looking back at previous Worlds to see where the break goes. They were on to me pretty much every day giving me a breakdown, letting me know that it seems to go every year from the line.
I was pretty much on the first line at the end of the neutralised section and the break did go straight away. Thankfully myself and Conor (Dunne) got in the break. That was obviously the plan from the start.
Kurt (Bogaerts) said we needed boys in the break, because if it does split up behind in the bunch, we would have lads up front to help Dan (Martin) and Nicolas (Roche). They’re experienced lads though and they kind of knew it would come down to a small group sprint and they were right. There was always the possibility on that course though that it would break up.
Getting in the break worked out very well with the two of us there. In the break, it was crazy. The crowds and noise were phenomenal, especially on the climb. It was great having Conor there. If there was one man to have in the break, it was Conor. He knew exactly what he was doing.
He also kept me reassured and told me to just do the basics right, keep eating and drinking and don’t get too excited. One of the best things Conor said was to just enjoy it and I definitely did. It would be hard to find a picture of me in the break not smiling. I was doing my best to try to look professional but I just couldn’t stop smiling.
It was absolutely amazing, I was in my element. I’ve always wanted to be a bit of a Conor Dunne. I’ve always fancied breakaways but they’re hard enough to get into but I’ve felt towards the end of the year that I’ve gotten better and I was glad to get into that breakaway.
It was a perfect break. We got plenty of time, the course suited me and I was never really in too much trouble. It was hard obviously, but not too bad.
I was lucky to have my dad there and I made it worth his while coming out. He was in his element. I could see him in the corner on every lap hanging over the barrier with a big smile on his face. I was delighted to make him proud and everyone at home proud. A lot of people put a lot of time into helping me over the years so it was great to give them something to shout about. We were then brought back with about 70 kilometres to go.
It was one of those days you dream about as a kid, it was absolutely perfect. Getting the opportunity to ride in the Worlds was cool, but making full use of it was even better.
I’ve progressed a lot this year, thanks to Kurt and the team and I just peaked at the right time. The amount of experience I’ve gained this year helped and I have to thank the team for that. I have to also thank the Irish team for selecting me and trusting me to do a ride. I put a lot into this year and it was nice to get something out of it.
Hopefully I’ll get another chance next year and the An Post Chain Reaction team will get a new sponsor. I’d do anything to be on the team next year and hopefully they will sort out something.
It was my first year full-time and I think I just progressed so much and I feel it would be a waste if I didn’t get another chance. I’d like to keep developing and have a good, if not better, year next year. It’s a great set-up and very important for Irish cycling.
