Irish teams named for Rás Mumhan and Nations Cups

Ian Richardson is one of 17 riders named on Irish teams for events at home and abroad over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend (Photo: Sean Rowe)

Cycling Ireland has named its selections for a number of races at home and abroad of the Easter period, with a total of 17 riders to don the green jersey.

Two selections have been named for the junior and U23 separate Nations Cup event Gent Wevelgem on March 28th.

And on the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend at home an Irish team, mainly of U23 riders, will take on Kerry Group Rás Mumhan.

In that selection is the county man of the Rás last year, Ian Richardson of UCD-FitzCycles.

And while he has ridden the World University Championships for Ireland in the past, as well as competed for Ireland in triathlon, his selection for this national team is a step up and will be very popular with those who watch domestic cycling.

Also in that Irish team for the race in Kerry are Fintan Ryan, Craig McAuley, Darragh O’Mahony and Chris McGlinchey.

Just 12 months ago Luke Smith was riding the U16 Youth Tour of Scotland, leading above. Now he’s been named on the Irish team in the junior version of one of the most famous classics in world cycling.

Away from home, new to the U23 ranks Michael O’Loughlin will be reunited with his enemy cum ally Eddie Dunbar in the U23 Gent Wevelgem.

Both rode on Irish team together while juniors before Dunbar moved up to U23 level before O’Loughlin as he is a year older.

They form part of a very strong team for the U23 encounter in Belgium which also includes Sean McKenna, Matthew Teggart, David Montgomery and Angus Fyffe.

And in the junior version of the same race, Ireland also has a very strong line-up.

Selected are: Jake Gray, Luke Smith, Marc Heaney, Robert O’Leary, Tom Knight and Xeno Young.

Matt Teggart (in yellow) is currently riding in France and was 3rd in a race there just last weekend. He has been named in a very strong U23 team for the first Nations Cup race of the year for the Irish (Photo: Jean-Noel Charvet)

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The Irish junior manager Frank O’Leary believes the team can do very well, saying he had a very impressive group of riders to pick from.

“We have a very talented panel of juniors on the squad this year, and this year’s team is a mix of first and second years, with a good mix of international experience.

“Each year the junior performances go up another level and exposure at this level is an important step for the development of the squad.

“This was one of the most difficult selections we have made; the talent of the riders at home is very strong.”

Cycling Ireland’s technical direction, Brian Nugent, said the U23 Gent Wevelgem was the start of the qualification process for the World Road Championships whole Rás Mumhan was all about developing those selected.

“It is encouraging to see 17 riders represent Ireland over the Easter period and get a valuable opportunity to develop as riders and gain international experience,” he said.

“Each of the teams have differing goals and are at different stages in their development.

“The U23 Nations Cup Team will start their campaign for World Championship qualification and this period marks an intense three weeks of racing for them.

“Rás Mumhan will see a development team where our youngest U23 riders can gain valuable experience under an experienced tutor like David McCann.”