No Irish team was selected for the European Cyclocross Championships this year and there are no plans to send a national team to the Worlds. The sport has also lost the Dublin round of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup, which was an ideal opportunity to select riders for a national team without breaking the bank.
Many promising young cyclocross riders are also opting out, or reducing their 'cross racing, to focus on road, especially if they have secured places on international junior and U23 road teams.
Against that backdrop, the goals for high performance cyclocross riders have been re-set. Rather than hoping a national team will be sent to the Worlds or Europeans, or even to a World Cup, the landscape for our top cyclocross riders is being recalibrated.
Cycling Ireland, via its Offroad Commission, has decided the top riders should aim towards races at a low tier than major championships or the World Cups. And that means switching their attentions to C1 or C2-ranked events in Europe.
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A new development opportunity is now open to riders born between 2004 and 2011, meaning those in the U16, junior and U23 ranks. You can complete the expression of interest form by following this link.
Cycling Ireland has issued a statement setting out its re-set for the top riders, and their development pathway. It said though the UCI-ranked cyclocross in Ireland have been lost "there remains a relatively vibrant domestic racing scene".
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However, it is also "recognised that the level in Ireland remains a step removed from other countries and there is ongoing focus needed to increase participation" on the domestic scene.
"In past seasons teams have been selected and raced World Cups, European Championships and World Championships," Cycling Ireland added.
"However, this level of competition, especially in the context of poor gridding opportunities, has always been at an exposure level too high relative to the domestic level.
"And the potential for Irish riders to be competitive and gain a positive development learning from that standard of race has been limited," it noted, hence the recalibration of the goals for our top riders.
"Going forward, the commission’s plan is to support riders with domestic training and coaching opportunities and travel to compete in lower tier races in Europe, against higher quality fields, at a more suitable exposure level.”
Cycling Ireland and the Offroad Commission believe this level of racing “will provide a more effective and sustainable development pathway for riders” in cyclocross.
“They can gain valuable experience, learn the skills and tactics while developing the necessary CX specific fitness in races where they can be more competitive. The support team would provide each rider with coaching input and specific goals for each race."
