By Shane Stokes
Having made a good impression with the Driving Force Logistics team since joining them this summer, Paul Healion will join fellow Irishman Ryan Connor as part of the DFL squad for the Tour of Britain next week.
Healion got things off to a good start when he won a Goodwood gallop with them earlier this month. He then took part in the Surrey League Five Day, placing 3rd, 7th and 8th on stages and riding well in support of race leader Yanto Barker.
"I was down as a private member in the results but I was actually riding with them," he said. "I was very happy with my ride there. I was just a bit disappointed that our leader Yanto Barker pulled out while leading the race."
"The plan is now that I will be riding in the Tour of Britain with them, as is Ryan. He is going very well at the moment. I'll probably be riding for Yanto, as he is the strongest guy on the team. But at the end of the day, whoever is on form and does a good ride will be supported. I think I showed that I was quite strong, riding for Yanto for the first three or four days in Surrey and then getting a result myself."
Healion proved he has a good turn of speed with solid performances in Belgium earlier this year. He's hoping to put that to good use against the professionals next week. "I will try to do a good ride in the 4 kilometre time trial and the criterium. Anything else after that would be a bit of a bonus – if I can get up in a couple of sprints, that would be great."
The Dubliner will compete with DFL for the remainder of the season. "I'll should be doing the Tour of the Peaks, then perhaps the track season. Then hopefully I'll go back to Australia, as I did last year."
