The competition will be hotter than ever for selection onto Irish national road and track teams next year, with the process explained and opened by Cycling Ireland (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Cycling Ireland is inviting applications for selection onto Irish junior teams across road and track disciplines during the coming season.
All male and female riders who will compete as juniors next year are eligible to apply immediately, with the national squad to be named early in the New Year.
The strength in depth in the junior ranks has edged higher every year in recent seasons as a group of youth riders who benefitted from the Talent Team 2020 programme have progressed from youth racing into the junior ranks.
And other riders not included in the youth national set up have forced their way into contention for junior selection with the manner of their performances.
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Perhaps the most successful of the recent crop have been Michael O’Loughlin from Carrick-on-Suir and Eddie Dunbar from Banteer.
O’Loughlin was national road race and TT champion in 2015 and has secured a place with Team Wiggins, at Continental level, for next year.
Dunbar, who won the Junior Tour last year, rode for the UK-based NFTO Pro Cycling squad this year and has secured a place with Axeon Cycling Team for 2016; a Continental-level outfit based in the US.
Many of the riders still in the junior ranks will be looking to emulate the progress of Dunbar and O’Loughlin in the next couple of seasons, and securing a place on national road or track teams in 2016 would be a good start.
In its statement inviting applications, the national governing body said first and second year juniors were welcome to apply.
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“Over the last number of years Cycling Ireland has progressed a good number of young talented riders through the high performance system,” it said.
“The junior squad provides the challenges and tools to succeed through this pathway. It is a major area of focus for Cycling Ireland.
“Key areas of technical, tactical and physical attributes are all worked on and further developed with the ultimate goal of producing world class competitors.
“Junior squad riders are developed in both road and track disciplines.
“Cycling Ireland would like juniors with proven performances, a drive to develop, openness to advice and ambition to succeed to apply via application for selection to the junior squad.”
It added there would be a number of training camps throughout the early part of the season that fit in with school and college holidays, along with some weekends, followed by the key pre-competition camp during the summer holidays.
Applications must be received by December 17th. You can access more information and an application form by following this link.
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