Cycling Ireland has announced three riders will represent Ireland in the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in the Netherlands the weekend after next. Juniors Liam O'Brien (Fermoy CC), Aine Doherty (VC Glendale) and Joseph Mullen (Navan Road Club) will fly the flag for Ireland.
Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing) was considered for the U23 men's race but is unable to travel. There was no mention in Cycling Ireland's announcement this evening of any other riders being in contention for selection.
Like the Irish team that was sent to the recent UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Benidorm, the selection going to the Worlds will be part-funded by the riders. However, the majority of the costs will be met by the Cycling Ireland Off-Road Commission national cyclocross development squad budget. Logistical support will be provided by Cycling Ireland's high performance unit.
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The decision to send an Irish team is a welcome development as no national team was sent to the Europeans in Belgium last November. At that point, it was doubtful a team would be sent to the Worlds, though thankfully some Irish riders are getting a chance.
Cycling Ireland head coach, Neill Delahaye, said the riders "stand to gain a positive learning experience" from riding the junior races at the Worlds in Hoogerheide.
"Each has acquitted themselves very well this season and has demonstrated their ability to perform in an international field," Delahaye said. He added the three teenagers had been selected due to their "ability and potential as athletes" as well as due to the work of the national cyclocross development squad officials.
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One of those working away to promote cyclocross in Ireland is Paul Birchall, the Cycling Ireland Off-Road Commission cyclocross coordinator. He said he was "delighted to be in a position to give these riders exposure to racing at this level" at such a young age.
"Aine and Joseph have clearly proved their commitment and ability at the Benidorm World Cup and should benefit from this experience as second-year juniors next season," he said. "Our hope for Liam is that he builds on last year's Worlds experience and continues his progression towards the higher levels of the sport during his developmental years.”
While Harvey - who recently won the elite title at the National Cyclocross Championships - was in the mix for selection, he has stepped up to Continental level with Trinity Racing for the 2023 road season. Unfortunately, the Worlds clash with "contractual obligations" related to his new team.
O'Brien was 28th in the junior race at the Worlds in the US last year and earlier this month won the junior title at the National Cyclocross Championships for the second consecutive year. He has also taken some top tens in British National Series races this year.
Doherty, a first-year junior, won three rounds of the elite Cyclocross National Series in Ireland this year, among a series of elite victories. While she was a little under par at the recent National Cyclocross Championships, she bounced back last weekend with 19th in the junior race at the Benidorm World Cup.
Mullen, another first-year junior, has also ridden very well this year, taking wins at elite level at home. He was 30th last weekend in Benidorm, after battling back from a crash, and took silver in the junior race at the recent National Cyclocross Championships.
