Five-rider Irish team named for UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Benidorm

*Aine Doherty of VC Glendale is among the riders selected for the Irish team to compete in the men's and women's events at the UCI World Cup in Benidorm (Photo: Toby Watson)*

Five Irish riders have been selected to race for Ireland at the upcoming UCI World Cup in Benidorm. The five riders selected will compete in the men's U23 and junior races and the women's junior event.
Cycling Ireland has today confirmed the selection, which is drawn from the national cyclocross development squad and does not include any elite riders.

News that riders are being selected will be welcomed by the racing community in Ireland, especially as no team was picked from the European's earlier in the season. The Benidorm round of the World Cup takes place on January 22nd.

Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing) will compete in the U23 men’s race. Joseph Mullen (Navan RC) and Travis Harkness (VC Glendale) will compete in the junior men’s race. Áine Doherty (VC Glendale) and Hannah McClorey (RDF) will ride the junior women's race.

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The riders will travel and compete in the event on a part-funded basis, Cycling Ireland's Off-Road Commission said of team selected.

"Offers were made to riders from the squad based on their commitment to the national cyclocross development squad and their current form," the off-road commission said in a statement published on the Cycling Ireland site. "Competing at the event will help the continued development of the riders as they test themselves among the best young riders in the world."

Paul Birchall, Cycling Ireland off-road commission cyclocross co-ordinator, said the commission was "delighted to be in a position to give these five young riders the opportunity to race at this level and display their abilities while competing in their relevant categories".

Cycling Ireland Head Coach Neill Delahaye said: Providing the opportunity to race at this level is a valuable competition exposure for these young riders within their respective categories and forms part of the wider plan to continue the progression of cyclo-cross Riders in Ireland."