Two of the most exciting young Irish riders on the scene at present, Jamie Meehan (Cofidis) and Seth Dunwoody (Bahrain Victorious Devo) are set for a big start to their 2026. Both are set for an early start to the 2026 and will get stuck in against World Tour opposition.
Meehan (22) will be in action at Tour AlUla (2.Pro) for Cofidis, having secured a contract with the French team to the end of 2028, and can hopefully find his legs early on the climbs.
The race, won by Tom Pidcock (Pinarello Q36.5) last year, gets underway next Tuesday and features two uphill finishes, where Meehan will look to test himself after a breakthrough season last year. He will then go to Tour de la Provence, a thre-stage race starting February 13th.
Dunwoody had been set to get his season underway in one-day action in France on February 21st at Classic Var. But that has been brought forward. He too will be in action in Saudi Arabia next week at Tour AlUla, for the Bahrain Victorious World Tour team.
Advertisement
Related News
Three of the five stages could suit the young Irishman, who is building a real reputation as a world class sprinter. However, as his season start is much earlier than expected, and because he will be riding for the World Tour team, he may be on team duties.
Co Armagh teenager, Dunwoody, won three races last year, and collecting a series of podium finishes, in his first year as an U23, riding for Bahrain Victorious Devo.
And at AlUla Tour, he will ride for the Bahrain Victorious World Tour team, getting the call up to the first race of the season, which is a real vote of confidence and a reflection of his progress last year.
Just a word of caution about Meehan and Dunwoody and their first of assignments of the season... These team line ups can change, especially at this time of year. But, at present, both Irish riders are pencilled in for AlUla Tour, though that could change in time.
