Young Wheeler on the move

Ruairi Woods is a young man in a bit of a hurry. He has only recently turned eighteen and has been cycling seriously since 2017. Club stallworth Eamon Hogan and his son Tommy properly introduced him to the sport and he has been hooked since then. Sport plays a large part in the life of his family with his parents Dora and Liam both accomplished runners and his older brother Cathal also a very good cyclist.

He tells me, " It was last year during the lockdown I started training hard and working hard everyday on the bike progressing and developing as a cyclist.

In July 2021 I started my race season as a second year junior in the Ballivor GP finishing in the top 20 and third unplaced junior. From there the results started to roll in with a 13th placing overall in the Brendan Campbell and taking second unplaced junior".

" I then took another few top 15s and unplaced junior prizes in the following weeks. On August 15 I placed seventh in the Collins Christie Memorial setting me up perfectly for the Leinster road race on August 29. That race was on a lumpy hilly circuit in Dundalk. I had set my goal for the year to try and win the Leinster championship. The race came to a sprint finish where I finished second junior and third overall with my teammate for next season Eoghan Cooke winning both the junior and senior races."

As the racing season continued Ruairi continued to impress by taking more top 20 results at the Mondello track before competing in the National Championship in Wicklow in October last.

" The race didn’t go to plan for me but I was happy to get around on a grilling course. Mikey Flaherty was a massive support all season and a brilliant teammate for the year who helped me to progress all year. No doubt he will have a successful season coming as well."

Being successful on the bike is not just about being fast and going flat out all of the time as tactics and racing nous also contribute hugely to success and he credits many of his old club mates for all the support he received in the lead up to and during the races and Tosh Kiernan for his support and encouragement. Ex pro cyclist Damien Shaw has also been a source of help and support to Ruairi since he took up the sport.

So it is with regret that we in Lakeside Wheelers say goodbye to Ruairi for the time being as he has transferred over to a new club for the coming season.

" I am really looking forward to next season with Spellman Dublin Port. Their professional set up and their brilliant standards are just what any junior needs stepping up to the U23 ranks. Their aim to help develop under 23 riders is just what I need to help me with my progression in the sport. I am very grateful for all the staff at Spellman for their excellent set up and for giving me the opportunity to ride with them for the upcoming 2022 season."

We wish him all the very best with his new team and know that he has a promising future ahead of him on the bike. I have no doubt that this popular and grounded man will impress wherever he finds himself.