Four Irish riders will compete in the UCI Champion's league series which will take place in coming weeks in France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The series, which is an effort to bringing a glitzy and entertaining series of racing to fans in the host towns and cities, gets underway on November 23rd at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome.
The following weekend sees racing in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, with two rounds on consecutive days, followed by the same pattern in London, where the final two rounds will play out on December 6th and 7th, at Lee Valley VeloPark.
Riders score points across the five rounds - in either the sprint or endurance category - with each of the two fields limited to 18 riders.
Lara Gillespie will return again this year and will be joined by Mia Griffin, Erin Creighton and Lucy Bénézet Minns; all four competing in the endurance category.
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Dan Henchy, Cycling Ireland's national track coach, said the presence of four Irish riders in the field was a fitting conclusion to 2024, which had been a successful one for the national teams.
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“Irish riders have featured in each of the first three seasons of the UCI Track Champions League but it's testament to the strength of our women's endurance group that we're able to boast four entrants for season four," he said.
“Lara had a fantastic experience last season, culminating in an elimination race win in front of a packed crowd in London. She credits the Champions League with accelerating her development towards the Paris Olympic Games.
"And this time out will be looking to challenge for more victories following her recent bronze medal at the UCI Track World Championships.
“We also have three riders making their Champions League debut. Mia and Erin have been focused on the team pursuit in the last year but are outstanding bunch racers too.
"They both have a strong sprint, and the short race formats will suit them down to the ground. Lucy completes the line-up of Irish riders, fresh off a senior debut for the National team in Ballerup.
"She's already a Champion in her own right with a points race win at the Junior Track European Championships this year and I'm excited to see her get the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best riders in the world.”
