There are some new faces in the green jerseys of Ireland in this group at the U23 Irish road race team pre-season training camp in Spain.

U23 Irish cycling squad revealed ahead of new season

The road racing season has not yet begun for most Irish riders but already the first Irish U23 squad of the year has been revealed.

Eleven riders assembled in Calpe, Spain, for a training camp.

Former An Post-Chainreaction management figures Kurt Bogaerts and Neil Martin remain involved with the Irish team.

And they were on hand during the weeklong camp.

Indeed, it took place at the time and location the An Post-Chainreaction has held its camps in recent years.

Neill Delahaye also attended for several days as Cycling Ireland coach at the recent camp.

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While other riders can be added to Irish U23 teams during the year, the line-up at the camp offers clear insight into who is in line for selection this year.

Those present were: Con McDunphy, James Curry, Ryan Reilly, Alexis Roche, Marc Heaney, Michael O’Loughlin, Dermot Trulock, Daire Feeley, Jake Gray, Adam Stenson and Matt Teggart (Team Wiggins).

Darragh O’Mahony, Mark Downey and Eddie Dunbar were unable to attend because of prior commitments. However, they are on the national squad as it is selected at present.

Cycling Ireland technical director Brian Nugent said Kurt Bogaerts and Neil Martin were the road managers for the U23 team this year. And Bogaerts is also managing the elite road team.

The camp in Calpe involved a week of pre-season endurance training as well as a look forward to the major early season races.

“There was a big emphasis on building the plan for the season, particularly our intentions in Nations Cup early season,” he said.

Those present also shared information about their race programmes towards planning national teams early in the year.