The Irish U23 men's road set-up for 2023 has had its first training camp, with the riders gathering in Calpe, Spain, under the expert eye of former track world champion Martyn Irvine. A total of 10 riders attended the camp, with the line-up comprised of some of those who will likely ride for the Irish team at some point next year.
A number of those who are already established members of the U23 national set-up were not on the training camp as it clashed with some of their cyclocross or team commitments, including Archie Ryan (Jumbo Visma) and Dean Harvey (Spellman Dublin Port). Others, like stand-out junior this year Niall McLoughlin (Westport Covey Wheelers), were also not present but will likely feature in an Ireland jersey next season.
Riders who compete for the national team at U23 or junior level this year, and who will be U23s again in 2023, were invited to Calpe for a block of controlled endurance rides. Cycling Ireland funded the accommodation, with the riders paying for their own flights.
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The U23 set-up had an exceptional season this year, when they rode as a group in stage races at home and abroad, culminating in Tour de l'Avenir, where they scored 4th overall with Archie Ryan. It is hoped the U23 squad can build on that success and go even further next season.
Those riders who attended the just completed Cycling Ireland camp were: Ronan O'Connor (Colpack Ballan), Kevin McCambridge (Trinity Racing), Sam Bolger (Killarney CC), Matthew Devins (Trinity Racing), Aaron Wade (Team U Cube 17), Conal Scully (Dan Morrissety-Pactimo), Odhran Doogan (Caldwell Cycles), Darren Rafferty (Hagens Berman Axeon), Patrick O'Loughlin (Panduit Carrick Wheelers), and Adam Gilsenan (CC Canturino).
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Attendance at the camp does not guarantee national team selection at any point during next season. Likewise, those riders who were not present - and perhaps may not yet even be in contention for selection - can still be picked for Irish teams in 2023.
However, the 10-rider group that was present is comprised of some real talent. And when some of those who were absent are added into the set-up, the pool selectors will be able to pick from next season is perhaps the strongest it has been for years.
Ryan not only took 4th at l'Avenir but also made his debut for the Jumbo Visma World Tour team this year and claimed a stage win at Tour de Slovaquie (2.1) as well as winning a stage at Ronde de l'Isard (2.2U). Rafferty had a very strong first season at U23 level, with victory in Strade Bianche di Romagna (1.2U), among a series of impressive results in Europe.
McCambridge won a stage of Rás Tailteann while Doogan and Wade unleashed really impressive sprints this year to win a stage at Rás Mumhan and GP Christian Fenioux-Souvenir Gilles-Malard in France respectively. Junior internationals O'Loughlin, Gilsenan and Bolger are all developing well; O'Loughlin the top-ranked junior in Ireland this year, Gilsenan taking his first win in Italy in 2022 and Bolger winning the A3-junior Shay Elliott this year.
O'Connor served a valuable apprenticeship with Colpack Ballan in Italy this year, which should stand him in good stead while Devins saw his season derailed by some crashes and will be looking to realise his potential in 2023. Scully won the 13.8km TT at the Tour Centre Alsace Junior stage race in France this year.
