The girls Talent Team 2020 has already been seen in the bunch in 2012
Cycling Ireland’s new development programme for young female riders has taken a very welcome step forward with the securing of financial backing from Neenan Travel, the agency owned by businessman and cyclist Alan Neenan.
The programme is aiming to develop young riders in the fields of track, road and MTB and with that approach in mind is laying on training and racing opportunities at three location’s across the country this weekend.
A team of youth U16 riders is taking part in the International Track Meeting at Sundrive Road track in Dublin today, Saturday.
The team is being managed and mentored by Jennifer O’Reilly, a former elite national team member and multiple national record holder. The inaugural track team under the Neenan Travel Talent Team 2020 programme is comprised of Naoise Sheridan (Orwell Wheelers), Rebecca Heaney (SERC) and Rachel Kaye Mellor (Orwell Wheelers).
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The mountain bikers in the squad are attending a training camp headed up by National Road Race Champion and elite international MTB rider Melanie Spath. She will be sharing her expertise with the Talent Team as they prepare for the forthcoming National Championships on Sunday 22nd July in Djouce Woods.
Meanwhile, in Orangefield another group of the Neenan Travel Talent Team 2020 riders is getting to grips with the track under the expertise of Nicola Oldham, in preparation for the Track Nationals on Saturday 21st July in Sundrive Velodrome.
The Talent Team 2020 concept for the young female riders aims to identify those with potential and to nurture them through to the junior ranks and produce riders that can go on and compete at international level through to their U23 and elite years.
The boys’ squad has been sponsored by FBD Insurance, with Neenan Travel coming on board to back the female outfit.
Owner of Neenan Travel, Alan Neenan is himself a racing cyclist and many stickybottle readers will have gone on the pilgrimages he organises to the World Road Race Championships each year and also on the many cycling holidays in sun locations his company specialises in - www.neenan.travel/cycling
The sponsorship of the Talent Team 2020 comes from both Neenan Travel and their Tour Operating Division www.breakaway.ie
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Neenan Travel currently sponsors the Track Cycling Team of the Year Trophy. It also has a long-standing relationship with the logistics section of Cycling Ireland, handling their travel arrangements to many events including recent Track World Cups in Beijing, Astana and Cali, as well as the World Track Championships in Melbourne and the arrangements for past and upcoming World Road Race Championships.
Neenan said he was delighted to back the female youth squad of riders, who are all in the 13 to 16 years age group.
“In particular I’m very happy to see that the coaches have selected young riders from road racing, track racing and mountain biking rather than just having a narrow focus on a single discipline. Each of the young riders chosen on the squad has shown promise at their respective disciplines and the coaches are now looking not only to develop that talent but also to introduce the riders to the other disciplines, thus broadening their experience and the subsequent talent base.”
“I believe this kind of forward thinking makes it less likely that talented young riders will be overlooked and ensures the squad has the best chance of succeeding in their long term goals.”
Cycling Ireland CEO Geoff Liffey said: "Talent Team 2020 is an important initiative for Cycling Ireland as it aims to provide some specific support structures around a key group of cyclists for the future. We are delighted to have the backing from Neenan Travel and Breakaway.ie to assist with this long term project. Their backing along with the support from experienced cyclists and coaches will provide the girls with the ideal opportunity to aid their development and progression over the coming years."
The programme is led by Cycling Ireland’s head of development coach Paddy Doran and World Track Masters Champion Orla Hendron and is assisted by a number of coaches who have a long standing relationship with women’s cycling in Ireland.
The Talent Team 2020 pink in the bunch
The squad unveiled – nice kit
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