MCCONVEY READY FOR WORLD CUP

Felt International Connor McConvey is currently making final preparations for the first round of the 2009 UCI World Cup in Pietermartizburg on Saturday.

The Belfast rider has performed well thus far this season, taking the under 23 prize in a number of races and placing second in that classification behind Burry Stander last weekend. The event, the fourth round of the South African National Cup Series, was held on the same circuit that will be used for the World Cup. This enabled McConvey to become familiar with the course.

McConvey updated Irishcycling.com yesterday as to how things stand, telling us firstly what he has done since finishing 18th overall and taking the Under 23 award in the Internazionali d'Italia - Trofeo Giorgio Senini (Cat 1) on March 15th.

“After that race in Montichiari, I went back to France and did a real solid two-week block with lots of top end work,” he said. “I had done a lot before so it was just a matter of finishing stuff off. I ended that time with a bit of a disastrous race at a French Cup in Frejus (where I had mechanical problems).

“The next day I went straight to South Africa for the World Cup. I have been here for two weeks. I was tired after the heavy block, so I am really just tapering up for the World Cup.”

Although feeling a little off his best form in last Sunday’s event, he is feeling confident that a good performance is possible.

“I did a race on the course on Sunday,” he said. “There were loads of people here too, as preparation for the race and it was 36 degrees…so it was hard. I felt a bit blocked, but the race went well. I suffered a bit at the end due to heat and a bit of fatigue, but ended up 15th

“I was riding against the guys like Liam Killeen and Todd Wells, and finished second U23 rider behind Burry Stander. So it’s a big confidence boost for me going into this weekend.”

He’s based in France this year and getting some high-class racing in with his Felt International team. McConvey feels stronger than last season and is aiming for a good 2009.

“Last weekend let me know that everything is going well, that I've moved up more this year. I am hoping to ride top 30 in all World Cups, and that should see me riding U23 podiums. That’s something that is important for the team.”

---------

South African National Cup Series round 4 (class 2), Cascades, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, April 4-5:

Race 1 - April 4: Cross country:

Elite men:

1, Wolfram Kurschat, 1 hour 54 mins 45 secs
2, Jose Hermida, at 1 min 32 secs
3, Nino Schurter, at 4 mins 10 secs
4, Florian Vogel, at 6 mins 10 secs
5, Jochen Kaess, at 6 mins 18 secs
6, Kristian Hynek, at 7 mins 33 secs


Under 23 men:

1, Burry Stander, 1 hour 56 mins 47 secs
2, Connor Mcconvey, at 11 mins 59 secs
3, Matthys Beukes, at 13 mins 42 secs


(Connor McConvey 15th in combined results. No team names given.)