Having controlled the attacks of his top rivals on yesterday’s final big mountain stage of this year’s An Post Rás, Marcin Bialoblocki is upbeat about his chances of holding on to win the race today. The Polish rider appeared visibly more relaxed after battling through the Wicklow mountains, and while his two closest rivals need to gain a mere second to win, he believes that unless something untoward happens that he should be in yellow this evening.
“I think that if nothing bad happens, any – fingers crossed – crash or anything, that we have it,” he told VeloNation after the stage.
Connor McConvey (Synergy Baku) and Rasmus Guldhammer (Denmark Blue Water) are both equal on time to Bialoblocki, with the latter holding the yellow jersey by virtue of better stage placings. Both did their utmost to dislodge him yesterday, but he and his UK Youth team were up to the task.
“There were a few climbs that were quite tough, but nothing really serious. My team-mates did a great job for me. They worked all day at the front with a few other guys and I am very happy.
“A few riders from the top ten in the GC were attacking but it wasn’t anything serious. I was comfortable in following every move.”
The 29 year old previously won stages in the race in 2011 and 2012. He said that if he wins the overall classification today, that it would be the biggest success to date in his racing career, and one he hopes will help him progress to an important personal goal.
“My dream for my whole life is to race ProTour, because I know for sure I am strong enough,” he said. “I only need to get there [to prove it – ed], we will see…”