Cycling Ireland has named a 10-rider team for the Junior-U23 European Track Championships in Portugal in just under two weeks time, with two team pursuit line-ups selected. Though the Irish male juniors have been working away for some time, and have competed over the last year, in the team pursuit event, an U23 women's line-up has also been picked for Portugal.
The 10 selected riders will also compete in a range of other events at the Europeans, which will unfold in Anadia from July 15th to 20th. All of the selected riders will also have the benefit of a week-long training camp in Anadia the week before the championships begin.
Five male and five female riders have been picked for Portugal - two team pursuit selections, with a reserve - and some of the riders will be assigned their individual events closer to competition.
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The women's team, an U23 selection, is comprised of: Lucy Benezét Minns (Lotto Ladies), Erin Creighton (McConvey Cycles), Aine Doherty (Dan Morrissey Pissei), Aoife O’Brien (DAS-Hutchinson) and Esther Wong (Torelli).
The men's team is a junior selection and is made up of: Elliot McKeegan (Madigan CC), George Sevastopulo (Sundrive Track Team), Luca Holmes (VZW WP de Molenspurters Meulebeke), Max Fitzgerald (JEGG-DJR Academy U19) and Philip O'Connor (Dungarvan CC).
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Cycling Ireland track head coach, Dan Henchy, said "a strong endurance team" had been picked, adding the women's endurance group had been the basis for Irish success in recent years at the junior-U23 Europeans, with Ireland's haul an impressive three golds from the last two Europeans.
Lara Gillespie won U23 gold in both the points race and the omnium at the 2023 Europeans while Bénézet Minns claimed junior gold in the points race last year.
"We’ve got five riders looking to build on that success, with Aoife, Erin and Esther having already raced at the elite Euros this year being joined by Lucy and Aine," said Henchy.
"The women’s team has been a regular feature at recent track championships, but five riders selected for the men’s junior team is a welcome addition.
"Martyn (Irvine) and the lads have been working hard since their TP debut at the Next Gen event in January and we’ll be looking for continued progression in both the TP and individual events.”
