Christopher McGlinchey is one of the new names in the Irish Development Team for the rapidly approaching Tour of Ulster (Photo: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
Sean McKenna will spearhead a five-man Irish Development Team at this weekend’s Amber GreenEnergy Tour of Ulster.
The Aquablue man, with nine wins to his name already this season, will be supported by Martyn Irvine, Mark Downey, Sean Hahessy and rising star Chris McGlinchey.
It’s a very interesting selection, with four U23 riders making up the composition along with former world track champion Irvine.
McKenna was an obvious choice given the year he’s had so far but McGlinchey and Downey are interesting selections.
Sean McKenna on the way to Kerry Group Rás Mumhan victory at Easter while riding for the Irish Development Team. He will be one of the hot favourites this coming weekend (Photo with thanks to Brendan Slattery)
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The fact both are from the north of Ireland where the race will take place was a factor in the decision.
And it’s a clear indication that Cycling Ireland is keen to give as many U23 riders a stint in the national team.
McGlinchey only started racing on the road this year and began as an A4 but has taken little time to adapt to the rigours of it.
He was swiftly upgraded and won the time trial stage and held the yellow jersey in the Tour of the North at Easter. He is also a very accomplished off road rider and has represented Ireland in the downhill discipline.
Downey has ridden on national teams during his junior and youth days and for the past two years has ridden the World Championships on track and road for the Irish junior team.
Mark Downey, back in the colours of Banbridge CC this season, gets his first start with the Irish Development Team after being a leading junior international (Photo with thanks to Source Studio)
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Downey also won a silver medal last year at the junior points race in the European Track Championships.
Hahessy is a superb athlete also; the Fitscience man being in most big moves this year.
He also rode an excellent Rás Mumhan on the Irish team for winner McKenna, particularly on the final day.
The team for Rás Mumhan was changed in the week leading up to the race with Irvine not in the initial line-up. The names we outline here make up the selection at the time of writing.
Sean Hahessy: The Fitscience man is having a very good season and has been rewarded for his consistency with a place on the Irish team again (Photo with thanks to Joe Murphy)
The start list is full of top teams, with the Subaru-Albion squad from Australia spearheaded by Westport native Anthony Murray.
The Wasp Team from the Netherlands will also carry some firepower, as will the JLT-Condor team from the UK.
The latter have Harry Tanfield in their team and he should challenge for the overall if he has anything like the form he showed in the CICLE Classic in the UK yesterday when he was third.
Belgian club team Tomac CC are also travelling, with Irishman Peter Hawkins leading their assault.
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