Cycling Ireland has named a four-rider Irish team for the UCI World Cyclocross Championships in France at the end of the month - one U23 and three juniors - amid fierce competition for places.
With some very strong riders, male and female, across the junior, U23 and elite categories, the selectors had many riders to chose from, though a small team was expected, as has been the case in recent years.
Financial issues, and a clear decision to apply stricter criteria for national team selection, have resulted in a much more targeted selection policy, across all disciplines, in the last few seasons.
Last year, for example, the team pursuit riders - who made it to the OIympics and smashed their national record there - were the priority. It was also clear to see investment went into some very talented juniors, who delivered with UCI Nations Cup success during the summer.
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This time around, for the cyclocross Worlds, Cycling Ireland faced some selection headaches, with Esther Wong, Ryan Daly, Conor Murphy and Cutis McKee all emerging as the selected riders.
“While there were certainly some difficult decisions to be made in selecting the team for this years CX Worlds, as a high performance unit, we are very satisfied in yet another positive collaboration with the off-road commission and happy to be able to field a competitive team," said Cycling Ireland head coach Neill Delahaye.
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"The team has a lot of potential not just for this event but also for the future and we hope they can not only deliver their best performance for this race but bank the experience as a stepping stone towards future success.
"It is a young team that has demonstrated their ability and commitment to the discipline in a number of UCI races this Season to date and also displayed strong current form in the nationals last week."
Tim O'Regan, the new Cycling Ireland Off-Road Commission coordinator, said the commission was delighted to give the four riders a chance to race at the Worlds.
"As a second-year junior, Conor, we hope, will build on last year's World Championship experience and push for a result we know he is capable of on the right day," he said.
"Ryan and Curtis have shown commitment, improvement over the season and the current form to be competitive as first year juniors. They should benefit from this experience as second year juniors next season.
"Esther Wong is in her first year at U23 level and our view is for her to benefit and build to the highest level in the coming years. Much of her racing this season at UCI level has been in elite fields and we are excited to see her race in an U23 field, which should provide her with greater opportunity.”
