By Shane Stokes
Megan Armitage, one of Ireland’s most talented female riders, has inked a contract to race with the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team setup in 2023. The Co. Offaly rider took up the sport in 2020 and one year later finished as runner-up to Imogen Cotter in the national road race championships.
She had a strong 2022 with the IBCT team, dominating the national criterium championships with a solo attack and netting fourth and seventh on stages of the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche.
She rode the 2.1 event in support of her teammate Loes Adegeest and while this undoubtedly affected her own GC chances, she finished a fine 11th overall. Those performances helped secure a contract with the French Arkéa Pro Cycling Team, which competed in the women’s Tour de France Femmes this year.
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“I am really grateful for the opportunity given to me by the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team,” Armitage said in a team announcement on Wednesday. “I want to seize this chance that has been given to me to race in this team, which has already spent few seasons in the professional women’s peloton.”
Armitage is 26 years of age and by her own admission is still learning.
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“I am a young rider who still has a moderate experience of high-level cycling, in that I have only been racing for two years. I therefore wish to continue keep developing and with my new team, make use of all that I have previously learned.”
General manager Emmanuel Hubert said that Armitage is the tenth and final rider to join the team for the 2023 season. He has a clear idea of her strengths and also what she and the team are aiming for in 2023.
“She's a climber. She has already demonstrated these qualities by finishing 11th in the Tour International de l'Ardèche last year, while working in this race for the team leaders. Freed from such a task, this year she can have some great surprises in store for the women's calendar, alongside the other climbers from the Arkéa Pro Cycling Team.
“The objective of the team is obviously to secure through strong results a second selection for the Tour de France Femmes.”
Fellow Irishwoman Mia Griffin stated in recent months that she is targeting participation in the women’s Tour. She inked a contract with the Swiss Roland Cogeas Edelweiss Squad in October. That team has since been rebranded Israel Premier Tech Roland and has big goals for 2022. Griffin described the possibility of competing in the Tour as something that would be ‘absolutely incredible.’
Armitage will feel the same way and, given her climbing abilities, could well be in the running for a slot in the same race if her new team secures a place.
“My main objective will be to target races for climbers and go into the deep end with a full calendar. The events that I dream of competing in are the Giro and the Tour de France Femmes. I would like to have the chance during my career to ride these two competitions. I look forward to meeting my new teammates and for the 2023 season to begin.”
