Elite cyclist Mark Donovan, from Penruddock, reflected modestly on a “nice result” as he claimed a top five Tour of Britain (ToB) finish towards the end of a fine competitive year which has also brought him a maiden professional victory.
Mark, a former Kes-wick School student and one-time member of Penrith-based Beacon Wheelers, geared up for racing in 2023 having signed for a new team, Swiss outfit Q36.5 Pro Cycling. Previously he had been part of Team Sunweb (later known as DSM) and in their colours he competed memorably in two Grand Tour events — the Vuelta a Espana in 2020, and a year later the fabled Tour de France.
“It’s gone really well actually, I think,” Mark (24) told the Herald this week as he recovered from his ToB exertions. “It was a new team for me for the first time in quite a while. I feel like I’ve actually slotted into place well. It’s gone really well. I’ve had plenty of chances and I’ve felt like I’ve taken quite a good step on from where I was and I’m consistently up there a bit more.
“This year I wanted to focus on really getting stuck into racing again; trying to win and being really competitive. In the couple of years before I felt like I was good, and I was always doing really good, hard races, Grand Tours and everything. Those races are so hard, though. It’s not impossible but it’s very, very difficult get results. I wanted to maybe take a little step back and focus on actually really performing again for myself and then build it up again which I felt like I’ve done this year.”
A major highlight came in July when he led the general classification standings and topped the final Sibiu Tour stage race podium in Romania. It was his maiden professional race win and a first victory since an under-23 event in 2018.
His good form has continued and led to his eye-catching display at the Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest cycle race. Mark finished fifth overall and was the leading Brit. His Australian team-mate Damien Howson was third behind winner Wout van Aert. Q36.5 also scooped the top team classification honours as the eight-day event concluded in Caerphilly on Sunday.
“That was also one of my better results this year. The first six days were very flat and then it was only two days suited to me,” said Mark, a specialist climber. “I knew I just had to keep my head down, stay calm for the first six days and then see what was possible.”
Mark had finished ninth overall in 2021 when the race passed through familiar Cumbria surroundings. “I was hoping I could take a step on and essentially (secure) a top five which is exactly what I got. We couldn’t really have asked for much more,” he said.
“I was right up there with the best. I was pretty in the mix. It wasn’t like I was just scrapping around, trying to get fifth. I felt like I was really in the race which is also really nice, and for sure I think it was a big step on from the last time I did ToB two years ago, so it was a nice result.
“It’s a shame the ToB didn’t head up to Cumbria this year but I had plenty of support on the road, even if it didn’t go through my area. It’s still the biggest race in the UK that everyone switches on and follows which is really nice.”
Mark is preparing for end-of-season races in Italy before knuckling down to winter training at home in Andorra ahead of a second year with Q36.5.
“I’m hopeful that I can take another step on again,” he said. “I feel like I’m getting better and better as a rider and that I’m not at my limit yet. Next year I think there’s a good chance we’ll do a Grand Tour race as a team. That would be a big goal. I was fine not doing one this year and focusing on the smaller races. But to do a Grand Tour next year would be great and that would be a big aim for the season.”
