Informed sources have indicated an Irish team is being sent to the World Cyclocross Championships, with two names being put forward as those selected; David Montgomery, above, for the U23 race and David Conroy for the junior event (Photo: The Belgian Project - David McVeigh. Homepage photo by Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
Having come in for criticism in recent seasons when opting not to send an Irish team to the World Cyclocross Championships, Cycling Ireland has decided a national team will ride this year.
No official announcement has been made but stickybottle understands from informed sources two riders will pull on the green of Ireland at the championships in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium, in two weeks.
Last year’s national elite and U23 champion David Montgomery looks set to ride the U23 race while new national junior champion David Conroy looks set for the junior event.
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It means there will be no team in the elite race or any of the women’s events, unless the national federation changes its current outlook, which is unlikely.
David Conroy on his way to the national junior title in the Dromara CC-promoted national championships last weekend (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) took the bronze medal in the elite race at the national championships last weekend in Co Down.
And while he had been hoping to gain selection for the Worlds, stickybottle has been told no elite riders are travelling.
Indeed, Kinning confirmed as much this evening when he indicated he was not picked.
The winner of the elite race last weekend Roger Aiken (Asea-Wheelworx) had said he did not want to ride but if Cycling Ireland required a rider then as elite champion he would go.
And the man who separated Aiken and Kinning at the nationals was Montgomery; who looks Worlds-bound for the U23 event.
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Kinning works his way to championships bronze last weekend, but he has not been picked for the Worlds (Photo: The Belgian Project - David McVeigh)
Kinning’s exclusion will come as a major blow for a very strong and tough competitor and somebody who is very well regarded on the home scene.
His hopes of being picked not only rested on his 3rd place finish last weekend, but on his performances in the last couple of seasons.
He has been one of the very strongest riders on the domestic circuit.
After racing a World Cup event at Koksijde, Belgium he appealed to Cycling Ireland to send an elite team to the Worlds, but that request has fallen on deaf ears.
Montgomery, who is now riding for An Post-Chainreaction, had based himself in Belgium for much of the season.
And while he was disappointed not to retain his elite title last weekend his selection for the Worlds was anticipated.
Conroy has also competed on the Continent and in the UK this year and had long expressed his desire to go to the Worlds.
He has ridden very well this season and dominated then junior race last week.
He put in the kind of ride that placed beyond doubt his selection onto the Irish team once Cycling Ireland decided to send one.
We’ll bring you any official announcement when we get it.
However, a number of sources familiar with the selection process have confirmed unofficially that Irish riders will be travelling. And the names put forward as selected are those of Montgomery and Conroy.
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