Cycling Ireland has released the names on its 16-rider national junior team for the year ahead. It will aim to prepare for the biggest events both at home and abroad (Picture: Sean Rowe)
Cycling Ireland has named the riders selected onto the Irish junior road and track squad for the year ahead, with a total of 16 athletes getting the nod.
The team had its first gathering in Dublin at the weekend when plans for the year ahead were set out.
There and 12 male riders and four females, with a mix of first and second year juniors.
Of those selected, four will be eligible again next year; Xeno Young (Powerhouse Sport), Ben Walsh (Westport Covey Wheelers), Luke Smith (NRPT) and Tom Knight (NRPT).
In total, half the squad is from the Nicolas Roche Performance Team; a sign of its ability to attract and develop many of the best riders.
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The four female athletes in the team are all in their final year as juniors and have shown great promise so far.
Ciara Doogan (UCD CC), Eimear Harrison (Westport Covey Wheelers), Emily Birchall (NRPT) and Shenna McKiverigan (Powerhouse Sport) should be capable of holding their own in any stage race at home or abroad.
It's great to see the young riders who were members of the Neenan Travel Team 2020 at youth level and now moving into the national junior squad.
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“It’s our job to develop people to reach their potential so in the future they can race at Olympic Games, or in the pro ranks,” said junior manager Frank O’Leary.
“We do this by providing exposure to international races but also by teaching young riders how to perform on international teams; how to work within high performance teams.
“It is not just about speed and fitness, but how you manage yourself.
“We develop a world-class approach on all levels; fitness, life style, race tactics and event preparation.”
The team will race a packed programme of road and track events.
The main goal for the season is to prepare them for major track and road championships, including the Europeans and the Worlds, in the latter end of the campaign.
The team will also use the Cycling Ireland house in Majorca to further prepare in the run-up to the major objectives.
Irish Junior Team, 2016
Ciara Doogan (UCD CC)
Eimear Harrison (Westport Covey Wheelers)
Emily Birchall (NRPT)
Shenna McKiverigan (Powerhouse Sport)
Aaron Kearney (NRPT)
Adam Stenson (NRPT)
Ben Walsh (Westport Covey Wheelers)
Cameron McIntyre (NRPT)
Cathal Purcell (Carrick Wheelers)
Dion McCarthy (NRPT)
Jake Gray (NRPT)
Luke Smith (NRPT)
Marc Heaney (NRPT)
Robert O’Leary (Cork Giant Team)
Tom Knight (NRPT)
Xeno Young (Powerhouse Sport)
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