‘This isn’t suffering’: Dunwoody reflects on O’Brien tragedy in striking interview after U23 Worlds crash

The Irish rider came down early in his effort in Montréal on Monday and was forced to change bikes before continuing to the finish.

For Dunwoody, though, the setback was easier to place in perspective after a difficult few months for those around him.

“This isn't suffering. This past season has been a really hard one,” Dunwoody told CyclingProNet. “Suffering is when you lose your little brother on the bike. That's real suffering. Crashing at a Worlds like this isn't real hurt.”

Dunwoody was referring to his friend and compatriot Liam O’Brien, whose younger brother Shane died in a training crash in County Waterford in June at the age of 16.

Shane was a first year junior and had recently been selected for his first Irish national team. Liam, who was racing the Giro Next Gen for Lidl-Trek Future Racing at the time, left the race to return home.

“I've learned a lot from my friends like Liam, who has been through real stuff,” Dunwoody said. “Cycling isn't the be all and end all. That helps you push on. Crashing at a Worlds isn't what I'm here for.”

The crash in Montréal still came as a major disappointment after Dunwoody had fought just to make it to the start line.

Four weeks earlier, he had crashed at the Tour de l’Avenir and required 12 stitches in his shin. Until shortly before the World Championships, he did not know whether he would be fit enough to travel to Canada.

“It took a lot for me to actually be here. Until maybe one and a half, two weeks ago, I didn't even know I was coming,” he said.

“So to actually be here was already a victory for me. I had nothing to lose. It's honestly a miracle and a blessing to be here.”

Dunwoody said Monday's fall had affected him more mentally than physically.

“I'm okay. I think it's more my mental bottle that took a hit there, more than me,” he said. “What can you do?”

Having pushed his body to recover in time for the Worlds, crashing so early was nevertheless difficult to accept.

“Once you get here and you prep and you push your body so hard to get here, it hurts a little bit to crash early on in that way,” he said. “But for sure I'll keep going.”

Ryan Gal of the Netherlands won the under 23 world time trial title, finishing seven seconds ahead of Nicolas Milesi. Héctor Álvarez completed the podium.