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Elite bike owner Mark Donovan, from Penruddock, mirrored modestly on a “good end result” as he claimed a high 5 Tour of Britain (ToB) end in the direction of the top of a fantastic aggressive 12 months which has additionally introduced him a maiden skilled victory.
Mark, a former Kes-wick College scholar and one-time member of Penrith-based Beacon Wheelers, equipped for racing in 2023 having signed for a brand new workforce, Swiss outfit Q36.5 Professional Biking. Beforehand he had been a part of Crew Sunweb (later often known as DSM) and of their colors he competed memorably in two Grand Tour occasions — the Vuelta a Espana in 2020, and a 12 months later the fabled Tour de France.
“It’s gone very well really, I feel,” Mark (24) advised the Herald this week as he recovered from his ToB exertions. “It was a brand new workforce for me for the primary time in fairly some time. I really feel like I’ve really slotted into place effectively. It’s gone very well. I’ve had loads of probabilities and I’ve felt like I’ve taken fairly a superb step on from the place I used to be and I’m constantly up there a bit extra.
“This 12 months I wished to concentrate on actually getting caught into racing once more; attempting to win and being actually aggressive. Within the couple of years earlier than I felt like I used to be good, and I used to be at all times doing actually good, exhausting races, Grand Excursions and all the pieces. These races are so exhausting, although. It’s not inconceivable nevertheless it’s very, very tough get outcomes. I wished to perhaps take a bit step again and concentrate on really actually performing once more for myself after which construct it up once more which I felt like I’ve accomplished this 12 months.”
A serious spotlight got here in July when he led the overall classification standings and topped the ultimate Sibiu Tour stage race podium in Romania. It was his maiden skilled race win and a primary victory since an under-23 occasion in 2018.
His good type has continued and led to his eye-catching show on the Tour of Britain, the UK’s greatest cycle race. Mark completed fifth general and was the main Brit. His Australian team-mate Damien Howson was third behind winner Wout van Aert. Q36.5 additionally scooped the highest workforce classification honours because the eight-day occasion concluded in Caerphilly on Sunday.
“That was additionally considered one of my higher outcomes this 12 months. The primary six days have been very flat after which it was solely two days suited to me,” stated Mark, a specialist climber. “I knew I simply needed to maintain my head down, keep calm for the primary six days after which see what was potential.”
Mark had completed ninth general in 2021 when the race handed via acquainted Cumbria environment. “I hoped I might take a step on and primarily (safe) a high 5 which is strictly what I obtained. We couldn’t actually have requested for rather more,” he stated.
“I used to be proper up there with one of the best. I used to be fairly within the combine. It wasn’t like I used to be simply scrapping round, attempting to get fifth. I felt like I used to be actually within the race which can be very nice, and for certain I feel it was a giant step on from the final time I did ToB two years in the past, so it was a pleasant end result.
“It’s a disgrace the ToB didn’t head as much as Cumbria this 12 months however I had loads of assist on the street, even when it didn’t undergo my space. It’s nonetheless the largest race within the UK that everybody switches on and follows which is very nice.”
Mark is getting ready for end-of-season races in Italy earlier than knuckling all the way down to winter coaching at residence in Andorra forward of a second 12 months with Q36.5.
“I’m hopeful that I can take one other step on once more,” he stated. “I really feel like I’m getting higher and higher as a rider and that I’m not at my restrict but. Subsequent 12 months I feel there’s a superb likelihood we’ll do a Grand Tour race as a workforce. That may be a giant objective. I used to be fantastic not doing one this 12 months and specializing in the smaller races. However to do a Grand Tour subsequent 12 months can be nice and that will be a giant intention for the season.”
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