Cycling Ireland is looking for riders who are "proven to competitors" as well as "team players with strong work ethic" and who are open to being coached and guide as it forms and new development group.
The "select group" of young riders will be given coaching and a range of other supports as they seek to develop towards the elite ranks of the sport.
The riders - who must be juniors, across all disciplines - can now apply to become part of the 2024-2025 performance pathway programme, which is "aimed at nurturing the next generation of high-performance Irish cyclists".
"This enhanced initiative seeks to identify, select, support, and transition Ireland’s most talented junior cyclists into elite senior training environments, equipping them with the tools they need to reach their full sporting potential," Cycling Ireland said.
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"The performance pathway programme serves as the overarching framework for talent development within Cycling Ireland. The performance pathway plan will be launched in the coming weeks.
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"A crucial element of this programme is the performance pathway squad. The squad is comprised of a select group of riders who will be identified and chosen through a rigorous selection process."
Cycling Ireland added the pathway is effectively a coaching and support structure and is not linked to national team selection, which will have its own criteria for various races at home and abroad. The pathway programme is presided over by former track work champion, turned Cycling Ireland high performance pathway coach, Martyn Irvine.
Cycling Ireland has set out what it is looking for in candidates, and done so very comprehensively, which we reproduce here:
- Skilful Riders Across Multiple Disciplines: Athletes must demonstrate proficiency across cycling disciplines and possess a strong willingness to learn and master the fundamentals.
- Proven Top Competitors: Applicants should have excelled at the national level and represented their region, club, or team internationally.
- Team Players with Strong Work Ethic: We are looking for riders who thrive in team environments and are committed to hard work.
- Open to Coaching and Development: Athletes must be receptive to advice from Cycling Ireland coaches and support staff, demonstrating a desire for continuous improvement.
Cycling Ireland added the programme will provide each rider with the following:
- A Comprehensive Talent Development System: Delivered consistently, this system focuses on meeting the athlete’s needs at every stage of their development, ensuring technical, physical, and mental readiness for global competition.
- Support Structures and Opportunities: We provide a network of support to maximize athletic potential and guide athletes toward elite-level performance.
- Skills and Race Tactics: Training and development will focus on honing the skills and race tactics needed to succeed at international competitions.
- Off-Bike Fundamentals: The programme will also emphasize the importance of off-bike activities, including nutrition, strength and conditioning, and sports psychology.
- Expert Coaching and Sports Medicine: Athletes will receive coaching from a highly experienced team, along with access to sports medicine support, including strength and conditioning, nutrition, and physiology.
- Structured Race Plan: Athletes will follow a race plan designed to maximize their exposure to international competition and big-bunch racing environments.
The programme will officially commence in late November 2024 and run through 2025, with a closing date for applications of November 5th at 4pm. You can apply by following this link and any queries can be sent to Irvine at [email protected].
