The Irish team is set to return to Tour de l’Avenir, with a very strong line-up selected as most of our top U23 riders are available for the event, which takes place from Saturday, August 23rd, to Friday, August 29th.
Indeed, the team is so strong it is comprised of riders who have already won stages at some of the biggest, and hilliest, U23 stage races in the world, and riders who have also climbed among the best in the world on big mountains and taken big general classification podiums this season.
Of the six riders selected, four are either currently riding for a World Tour team or an U23 feeder squad for World Tour teams. Adam Rafferty (Hagens Berman Jayco) and Seth Dunwoody (Bahrain Victorious Development) are the riders who have already won stages at Giro Next Gen this year.
And for the general classification battle at the French race, often referred to as the U23 Tour de France, the national team has Liam O’Brien (Lidl Trek Future Racing) and Jamie Meehan (Cofidis) – who have climbed with the best on the European scene this year.
O’Brien has finished 2nd overall at Ronde de l’Isard and placed 4th in the final standings at Giro Valle d’Aosta, a race where Meehan was 6th overall, while riding for AVC Aix Provence Dole. Meehan has since stepped up to World Tour team, Cofidis, for a stagiaire.
He was due to start today’s final stage at Tour de l’Ain (2.1), equal on time with a group of riders all effectively 3rd overall after finishing 3rd on yesterday’s stage. He made the select group and attacked from it in the final of the stage.
Dean Harvey (Martigues Sport Cyclisme Payden-Rygel) is also selected for Tour de l’Avenir and has ben going very well this season, with a recent international win at Tour de Martinique. Harvey also claimed the elite gold at the National Cyclocross Championships this year and was crowned champion at the National Criterium Championships.
Ronan O’Connor, who is competing for UCI Continental outfit, Team Skyline, again this year won the Shay Elliott Classic earlier in the season, with an aggressive ride, and is also rewarded with a place on the squad for France.
“The performances delivered by Irish U23 riders this year in UCI-ranked racing have been impressive,” said Cycling Ireland head coach Neill Delahaye. “We have raced strongly in Tour de l’Avenir in recent years with a number of riders that were competitive in the race transitioning into the pro ranks with continued success at that level also.
“We are delighted to be able to provide this opportunity to this group and believe that the team composition offers great strength in depth with chances for both targeting stages and overall GC ambitions.
“The motivation within the team is really high, the riders put their best possible case forward for inclusion in the race by demonstrating their competitiveness all season and we are looking forward to seeing them at their best for an exciting and tough week of racing.”
