Currently doing his racing in Spain for a top junior team, only two riders from Direct Energie's French squad finished ahead of young Archie Ryan, above, recently in a big race in San Sebastián.

Irish junior cycling team for Tour of the North

Having entered a development national selection into Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, Cycling Ireland has also picked a junior team for the Tour of the North.

There are five riders selected, each of whom has already shown some great form this season.

Among those named is Aaron Wade (Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar), along with Shay Donley, Conor Gallagher and Conor Halvey, all of the NRPT-Chill Insurance team.

Also picked is Archie Ryan; riding this year for Spanish team Gaursa Renta Car–La Tostadora.

Conor Gallagher leads the breakaway on his way to victory in the An Caislean Nua Classic the weekend before last. His consistency marks him out as a man to watch in stage races in coming seasons. He'll learn plenty of lessons riding for Ireland in the Tour of the North this weekend (Photo: John Coleman)

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Wade was 2nd in the recent Tommy Sheehan Memorial. Furthermore, he has picked up several junior prizes racing against the elites in recent weeks.

Donley took the final stage of Rás Mhaigh Eo last weekend. Halvey was 2nd to Donley last Sunday in Mayo. As a result he finished 4th overall in that race. He was also best climber.

Conor Gallagher has been prolific already this season. He has rarely been out of the results in recent years and so it has proven again to date in 2018.

Gallagher was 2nd in the Rás Luimní A3 race. And he won the An Caislean Nua Classic A3 race in epic conditions.

He made the winning breakaway on the last stage at Rás Mhaigh Eo on Sunday. As a result he finished 8th overall.

The final man on the team, Archie Ryan is a first year junior doing his cycling this year in Durango, Spain.

He was 3rd in the recent LV Sumy Zaria in San Sebastián. It was a 79km race with 110 riders. The field included Direct Energie’s junior team from France.

Indeed, it was two riders from that French squad that filled the top two spots on the podium ahead of the Irish teenager.

Ryan rode the World Cyclocross Championships earlier this year on the Irish junior team.