Fionn Killeen, centre in blue, has been really impressive since the turn of the year and now he gets his chance on an Irish junior road team, made up of first-time junior road internationals (Photo: Caroline Kerley)
A five-rider Irish selection, all making their debut for the national team on the road, has been selected for Course de la Paix Juniors (2.Ncup) in the Czech Republic. The five-stage race gets underway on Thursday.
While the Irish junior team of the past two years took stage victories in the event, via Seth Dunwoody and Conor Murphy, who also held the yellow jersey, this selection is a little less experienced.
All of the riders will be pulling on the green of Ireland in a junior road race for the first time, though some have already competed internationally at U16 level and for Ireland on junior track on MTB teams.
The selection is comprised of James Logue (Panduit Carrick Wheelers), Caleb McGreevy (U19 Academy Région Sud powered by Giant), Shane O'Brien (CAMS Majaco), Fionn Killeen (Kilcullen CC Murphy Geospatial) and George Sevastopulo (Sundrive Track Team).
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“Course de la Paix offers junior riders exposure to a high level of racing over multiple days and varied terrain, including a TT," said Cycling Ireland coach Martyn Irvine.
"We have a team full of riders making their road debut in a green jersey. It will be this group’s first time riding together as a national team. And the race provides a valuable learning on how to ride cohesively as a unit under the guidance of experienced staff.
"It is an ideal race for these guys to learn and develop. All of the selected riders have shown promise road racing this season to date.
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"Each raced Rás Mumhan, which has added some depth and enhanced their readiness to step up to this level of international junior UCI race. I’m looking forward to to seeing how they perform as part of a national team.”
Caleb McGreevy rode for Team Ireland at the European Youth Olympics last year but this will be his first time on an Irish junior road team (Photo: Tyler Miller-Sportsfile)
Logue was 3rd at the Des Hanlon C2 race while McGreevy has gained experience with his team so far this year in Spanish races, while also riding well internationally off-road.
O'Brien has ridden consistently so far this season against the C1s, placing 2nd in the Lacey Cup and also 3rd in the John Drumm Cup.
Killeen has ridden especially well this season, winning the junior race at the National Cyclocross Championships and placing 3rd and 10th on stages as Rás Mumhan, as well as 10th overall.
Sevastopulo, already a regular track international, is selected for his potential in the sprints and this outing will be invaluable experience for him to add to his exposure to European track racing.
While there are no major climbs in the race, there are more modest ascents that could split the race. That is especially the case on stage 3.
There are two main obstacles; a 7.3km climb averaging 6.4 per cent early in the day and a climb of 2.7km at eight per cent, much closer to the finish.
There is also an 8.8km TT on the second day of racing, which is a split stage, and which will help to put order on the general classification.
