Major boost for Ireland as juniors qualify large team for World Road Champs

The only current Irish junior rider to medal at a major championships, Mark Downey is well in contention for a place in the time trial and road race at the World Championships (Photo: Toby Watson) 

By Graham Healy

Ireland is set to qualify five riders for the junior men’s race at the World Road Championships in Ponferrada, Spain, next month.

Currently sitting in 15th place in the Nation’s Cup with 35 points; the large team has been qualified thanks to that ranking.

The first 10 countries in the Nation’s Cup by the cut-off date of this coming Friday, August 15th, will have earned the right to name 12 potential starters for the road race of which a maximum of six with take to the line.

The next five nations – ranking from 11th to 15th – can name a short list of 10 riders, of which a maximum of five can start.

With the final Nations Cup race before the World Championships at the end of next month now completed, Ireland is guaranteed to finish in 15th place meaning five places are assured.

In the past Cycling Ireland has opted not to fill the quota of riders permitted for some World Championship events on the basis that only those the federation feels could hold their own for at least a large portion of their respective race should be selected.

However, with such a strong crop of juniors now emerging, it would be a major surprise if all five berths were not filled.

Eddie Dunbar fell short of the goals he had set for himself at the European Championships but will have another chance at the Worlds in Spain next month (Photo: Stephen McMahon-Sportsfile)

Top Irish junior, Eddie Dunbar went to the European Championships last month hopeful of winning a medal. And while he came up short he has aspirations of a very good result at the Worlds, with the Irish team likely to be selected around him.

The fact Ireland can have five riders - just one short of the maximum permitted - means the Irish juniors will be competing on a level playing pitch in a race where team tactics are often crucial.

In previous years when smaller numbers have been qualified, it has proven difficult for Ireland to make an impression.

France leads the Nations Cup rankings, with Denmark in second place and Belgium in third.

FDJ.fr professional Nacer Bouhanni’s younger brother Rayane is currently the highest ranked individual rider.

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Dylan O'Brien takes the final stage of the Junior Tour; already a junior international, he is in the mix for Worlds selection (Photo: Stephen McMahon-Sportsfile)

Dunbar’s performances in Nations Cup events in recent months account for Ireland’s high ranking.

His second place in the Trofeo Karlsberg in Germany in June showed he is amongst the best juniors in the world at the moment.

He also finished in 14th place overall and 3rd on a stage in another Nation’s Cup race in May; Le Trophée Centre Morbihan in France.

Fielding a larger team than normal will be a great boost to Dunbar’s chances of a good result, but will also provide the team with more options on the day of the race, on September 27th.

However, while Dunbar (O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk) has been dominant, Mark Downey (NRPT-Standard Life) has recently won a silver medal in the points race at the European Track Championships; the only rider in the current crop to medal at a major championships.

Michael O'Loughlin on his way to Junior Tour time trial victory; he is hoping for selection for both the road and TT at the Worlds (Photo: Stephen McMahon-Sportsfile)

O'Loughlin's team mates Matthew Teggart and Michael O’Loughlin won stages in the Junior Tour; the latter taking the time trial and queen stage. And a third team mate, Fintan Ryan is the current national road race champion.

A Kanturk team mate of Dunbar’s, Dylan O’Brien was also a stage winner on the Junior Tour and will be in the hunt for a place on the Worlds team; as will Stephen Shanahan (Limerick CC), Daire Feeley (Domamon Dynamos) and several others.

There will also be tough competition for the two time trial places at the Worlds. Downey was selected last year as a first year junior and may get the nod again after his Euros exploits. O’Loughlin and O’Brien are proven testers and Dunbar the reigning national champion.

While the nations’ road race allocations for the Spanish showdown will be confirmed this weekend, the team will not be selected by Cycling Ireland until closer to the time.

Junior Nations Cup Rankings