Luke Smith rode the Worlds on the Irish junior team last year. And now he gets a call-up at elite level (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Irish teams named for Kreiz Breizh in France
Two Irish teams, comprised mainly of riders from the domestic scene, have been selected for the Kreiz Breizh Elite races in French.
Cycling Ireland has named one selection for the women’s race and one for the men’s event. The women’s Kreiz Breizh Elite is held today, Thursday, in Brittany.
In the Irish team is national road race champion Eve McCrystal. She usually rides as pilot on the paracycling national team.
The Garda CC rider lines up alongside Katharine Smyth (Ballymena RC) and Aine Donegan (Scott-Orwell).
Also selected are Michelle Geoghegan (Autoglas Wettern Cycling) and Lauren Creamer (Brotherton Cycles).
Top down: Eve McCrystal, Katharine Smyth and Jamie Blanchfield all get the nod for a green jersey (Photos by SeanRowe)
Advertisement
Related News
In the men’s event, Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles) gets another international call-up after his silver medal in the road nationals.
He is joined by national criterium champion Dillon Corkery (Gerard-DHL), Jamie Blanchfield (Carrick Wheelers) and Luke Smith (Viner-Caremark-Pactimo).
Also picked are Ryan Reilly (CC Nogent Sur Oise) and Adam Stenson (Speeder Cycling Team).
In the men’s team, four of the six are riding at home. Stenson is competing in Switzerland. Reilly is based in France this year.
The men will race for three days; from Saturday to Monday. The women’s race is a one-day event.
Cycling Ireland performance coach Neill Delahaye said: “The selection for both races is reflective of a jump in the standard in Ireland.
Plenty of racing to come
“We have had a great month of international racing, with competitive teams racing across a number of events in July.
“We are fielding two strong teams here, many of whom are competing domestically week in and week out.
"And that’s going to ultimately keep this forward momentum in talent coming through.
“There’s been significant development with the elite women in particular, when you look at a strong selection of Irish women in the line up for the Kreiz Breizh Elites.
“We also have a large team of riders preparing separately for the European Championships in Glasgow the following week. It certainly is an exciting time for Irish cycling.”
Topics
