Cycling Ireland has named a very strong national team for the Junior Tour of Ireland, with expectations they can take significant results given the quality of the line-up.
The team is a mix of young Irish riders who have already gained experience in the green jersey, while others will be making a deserved debut for their country.
Going into the Junior Tour of Ireland - set to take place from July 9th to 14th and backed by Quanta Capital - one of the stand-out names on the Irish team is that of Conor Murphy. He is the new national junior TT champion and a winner last month of the major Italian one-day race, Eroica Juniores-Coppa Andrea Meneghelli (1.1).
While Murphy (Caldwell Cycles) is a clear potential overall winner of the Junior Tour, having already won Gorey Three Day this year in his first season as a junior, there is a welcome reappearance in a national team line-up for Josh Callaly.
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A very strong competitor, he was selected onto the Irish team for the Peace Race in the Czech Republic in May. However, the Lucan CRC rider had to miss out after falling ill. He is once again named for the Junior Tour, so gets his chance to show with he can do.
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Joining Murphy and Callaly in the national team are Cal Tutty and Max Fitzgerald, both of whom have been riding in the colours of Dutch junior team JEGG-DJR Academy this year.
Tutty is an experienced campaigner who rode the Peace Race for Ireland this year as well as the Europeans last year and he will be looking for a big result at the Junior Tour.
Fitzgerald, who has shown signs of very strong speed on the road and track in his first year as a junior this year, has also made the grade. If he gets into a position to sprint for victory at the Junior Tour, and that is likely, he could definitely convert that chance.
Michael Black, Cycling Ireland's national development pathway lead, said he was "extremely excited" to announce the team for this year's Junior Tour.
"Each of these riders has shown incredible dedication and talent, and we believe they have the potential to achieve great things in this prestigious event," he said. "Our goal is not only to compete but to make a significant impact and showcase the strength of our development programme."
