Ryan Mullen is the double defending champion. Who will take the men's road race next Sunday in Co Sligo? (Photo: DC Images)
With just three days to go before the National Road Championships get underway in Sligo, most of the leading elite men are confirmed for the road race.
The TTs kick off the action on Thursday night. But it is the road races, especially the presence of our pro men, that attract most interest.
Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) has already spoken of his desire to win the race, promoted by Éire Óg CC in Collooney, Co Sligo.
Indeed, when asked after he had won his third Giro stage on the final day into Rome what his next goal was, he cited the Irish championships.
Against that backdrop, it is no surprise that he is confirmed for the road race in Sligo next Sunday.
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Also in the line-up, for both the road race and TT, is Nicolas Roche. He is a multiple winner of both titles.
Having abandoned the Giro, the first time he has ever pulled out of a Grand Tour, he will want to show what he can do.
And as anyone who witnessed his attack in Co Kildare two years ago will attest, once the BMC Racing rider is at the front in the closing stages he will be a handful.
Ryan Mullen is the defending champion in both the road race and TT; enjoying a stunning championships in Wexford last year.
He has already won a pro TT, in Argentina, this year. The Trek-Segafredo man has since ridden his first Grand Tour.
And once he has recovered from that Giro ride, he will be one of the most hotly tipped riders again in both the road race and TT.
Another man also set to race is Eddie Dunbar of Aqua Blue Sport. He has been in great form of late; attacking major pro races and placing in them.
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He has had ideal preparation; riding the Tour de Suisse and then having a break from race action.
His team mate Conor Dunne will also be on the start line; a man who could also take the title.
Dunne is one of the most aggressive Irish pros and will know the championship is a race that often rewards those who get up the road early.
It means Aqua Blue Sport will have two very strong riders in the field.
Another squad set to have three is Team Wiggins; Michael O’Loughlin, Matt Teggart and Mark Downey all lining out.
O’Loughlin was 6th last year and took gold in the U23 TT and road race. Teggart and Downey have yet to medal at an elite road nationals, but all three are capable of winning.
The race may become something of a team battle, for a change, as Holdsworth Pro Cycling will have a strong team.
Conn McDunphy, Sean McKenna and former champion Damien Shaw will put it up to the trios from Aqua Blue Sport and Team Wiggins.
One man who will have any team mates is Robert Jon McCarthy of JLT Condor. He is a top sprinter and of he is galloping for victory, especially in a group without Bennett, he will be one to watch.
At the time of writing, Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) was not expected to ride. He has rarely appeared at the champs and has the Tour de France starting the week after.
He will opt to keep his powder dry, and avoid travelling to Ireland and back, in the week before his big goal for the season.
It was unclear whether Philip Deignan (Team Sky) would ride. However, with ten laps of an 18km circuit to race, and with a 1.5km climb each lap, it is a race that might suit Deignan.
There are of course plenty of men from the home scene who will fancy their chances of getting among the medals, as Chris McGlinchey (Chainreaction Cycles) did last year.
We’ll have lots more on them and the champs; both later today and over the next week. Stay tuned.
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