As the new season is about to kick off, four emerging U23 Irish cyclists have secured funding to assist with their plans to race abroad. Among them is U23 international Jake Gray, above (Photo: Martin Verfaillie)
Heading into the new road racing season four young Irish riders have received support from the Emerald Fund.
The scheme was established three years ago by Garda CC member Dave O’Connell. It aims to offer financial support to developing riders.
In time it hopes to fill the same role in Irish cycling as the Dave Rayner Fund has so successfully done in Britain for many years.
The following riders have secured support from the Emerald Fund this time around.
- James Curry - VC la Pomme Marseille
- Jake Gray - VC de Toucy
- Ben Walsh - Vitus Pro Cycling Team
- Adam Stenson - Speeder Cycling Team
All four have excelled to date in their careers; becoming junior and/or U23 internationals.
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Indeed Curry, Gray and Stenson were part of the Irish U23 squad that gathered for a training and season planning week in Calpe recently.
Ben Walsh is the youngest of the four. He claimed the Junior Tour of Ireland last year.
And he has now secured a place with the Vitus Pro Cycling Continental level team in the UK for this year.
O’Connell said he was pleased four riders were being helped by the fund this year.
“We're delighted to be supporting Jake, Ben and Adam for the first time. And this will be the third year that we support James,” he said.
“We'd like to thank our corporate sponsor Quanta Capital and also Aqua Blue Sport for their support for this year.
“We wish all those who applied the very best for 2018.”
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