Robert Power leads Sean Kelly in the 1992 Carrick Christmas Hamper race
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I'm sure Robert would agree with me! As a cyclist he was unique, he's now�in a professional job as a photographer.���"Photographs are the eyes of other people, who without them cannot see, - everything else is replaceable. Robert I hope you agree with those sentiments.
Robert Power was introduced to cycling by Bill Spratt and John Clark who started�a league when�he was under 12. In his own words there was nothing serious about cycling. But things changed when Paddy Power came to live next door and got�him involved with Cidona Carrick Wheelers and that was the start of journey which he never regrets.
"Just having been lucky enough to have been involved in something I enjoyed doing and get the chance to travel and represent Ireland all over the world with some great people" said Robert.
Plus like many other youngsters who got involved, there was no tradition withing the family of cycling. He slowly worked his way up the ranks and then the calling came for international duty. In the�late 80's and early 90's both�Robert and the late�David Hourigan�were the men to beat. "Dave was my mate all the way from junior we got on well together a great talent and a huge loss."
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And, then like many sports people who reach their goal he retired. "I thought about it often over the years the back / hip injury played a part but I think the atmosphere changed on teams for me all the lads i had been with on teams with had given up (to young) and the enjoyment was gone which you need in such a tough sport.
Robert was part of the Irish Olympic Team, with Mark Kane, Paul Slane and Kevin Kimmage who took part in the Team Time Trial in the 1992 Barcelona Games
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He has fond memories and looks back with pride on his three��national road titles U-16, Junior and Senior along with beating the British Banana team at the Grand Prix of Essex classic in England.
And the one thing that most people ask him about? In your humble opinion would you like to have been a professional. "If I'm honest it was the goal back then but now looking back I wouldn't change a thing, I saw the world, I made great friends and had a ball and thats good enough for me.
Today, Robert ploys his trade as a photographer,�Welcome to the web site of Robert Power Photography. I offer a professional and friendly service�to all my customers. I specialise in a modern, contemporary and reportage style of wedding photography, which I shoot in a relaxed and unobtrusive manner. I don't take hours getting the perfect shot but work quickly and professionally to tell the real story of your wedding day, no more plastic posed shots but a fresh new approach to your big day. If your interested in getting in touch with Robert, his email is: robpowerphoto(at)gmail.com
I caught up with him and had an interesting�discussion. and as you can see he was generous with his answers. and who knows, maybe he will grace the cycling scene again for fun. But, first I wanted to tease him with a number of questions. Hopefully, when he gets back on the bike, we will get to know the guy who graced the cycling scene many moons ago.
ROBERT POWER INTERVIEW:
Robert with his family and the 'King' that is Sean Kelly
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Tommy Campbell: What did you have for your breakfast this morning?
Robert Power: Two boiled eggs, 2 slices of spelt bread and a cup of tea.
TC: What is your favourite meal?
RP:�A Thai meal chili,curry anything will do.
TC: What website do you look at most frequently?
RP:�Photographic sites but cycling sites coming up quick on the outside.
TC: After 15 years of a break some cycling has done the trick but its more healthy than Fit !.
RP:�Fishing would be my number one way although I got competitive (International cap)at that and it nearly became a chore.
TC: What do watch on TV?
RP:�Many things Movies, travel and cooking programs, still Home and Away gets a viewing.
TC: What person do you most admire?
RP:�The King that is Sean Kelly as a young guy he was it, and having been the main photographer on the Sean Kelly tour since the beginning and seeing the time he spends meeting and signing autographs for people at the event along with the trip this year to ride the Paris Roubaix sportive with him, and again to see how he makes time to talk to all,he is a gentleman and a "Legend".
TC: Who would you have to a dinner party?
RP:�The guys and gals from the 1992 pre season Italy training camp where we had a call in a tunnel for the Jack Woodcock and Pasta. No pasta on dinner menu though but Chicken and chips.
TC: Is punctuality one of your main attributes?
RP:�No, not really never missed a TT start, but I've never been on time to work.
Robert leads Stephen Maher on Mahon Falls in the John Hearne Memorial race in 1992
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TC: What do you like most about your life, since you hanging up your wheels at a competitive level?
RP:�The time I spent traveling the world and now married life with our three kids.
TC: What word or phrase do you most overuse? (You might have to a phone a friend)
RP:�Ah for F--- Sake.
TC: Are you a text or a phone person?
RP:�Phone I hate texts.
TC: What is your favourite radio station?
RP:�Waterford Local and Today FM.
TC: What was your best holiday?
RP:�Every holiday is good even if its just a few days away.
TC: What is your biggest regret?
RP:�I don't have one maybe hitting a car head on in Barcelona while cycling wasn't a good idea but no I have no regrets.
TC: When did you last use public transport?
RP:�In Paris last January.
TC: What would�you do, if you won the Lotto?
RP:�Spend it because if things keep going the way they are money won't be worth diddle.
TC: Where do see the future of cycling world-wide?
RP:�Leisure cycling is huge but it will be tough for the pro teams with cuts to sponsorship and some good team folding, hope it won't become like football with Sky again involved they seem to spend big along with BMC two super teams but cycling has had them before and come through OK.
TC: Is there life after Lance Armstrong?
RP:�Was there life with him in it, he strangled the biggest race for seven years, I gave up watching cycling during that time every stage was a team time trial so controlled it was terrible.
TC: His work on behalf of cancer?
RP:�I am sure he is an inspiration to many if only it wasn't at the expense of the sport of cycling.
TC: What do think of Irish cycling at the moment?
RP:�Its good to see some riders back fighting out results at the top level, I haven't been keeping a close eye over the last few years but one thing sticks out no Junior or young seniors getting abroad to race, I believe we only need to send them across to the UK to compete in the premier races there to gain experience and to come up against the likes of Rapha Condor sharp and motorpoint who are serious outfits these races would bring on the guys who have the ability and move them in the right direction to go on and race at the top level.