A group of leading junior and U23 riders has completed a two-week winter training block in Calpe, southern Spain, as part of a trip that has been run by Cycling Ireland in recent seasons.
The male riders who attended, bar one, have already represented Ireland on road or track, with most of the group - listed below - mainly focused on road racing.
This group is expected to make up many of the Irish junior and U23 Irish teams that will be selected next season, though others can also gain selection with their performances.
Some other riders who are certain to make national teams next year were absent from the camp due to a variety of reasons, including competing commitments with trade teams.
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The riders on the camp - and the teams they rode for this year - are as follows:
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- Jamie Meehan (CC Étupes)
- Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing)
- Philip O'Connor (Dungarvan CC)
- Luca Holmes (Spellman Dublin Port)
- Max Fitzgerald (JEGG-DJR Academy U19)
- Cal Tutty (JEGG-DJR Academy)
- David Gaffney (Team 31 Jolly Cycles)
- Sam Coleman (AS Villemur Cyclisme)
- Patrick Casey (Team GRENKE-Auto Eder)
- Adam Rafferty (Hagens Berman Jayco)
- Killian O'Brien (International Veleka Team)
Riders who competed at U23 or junior level this year, and who will be U23s or juniors again in 2025, were invited to Calpe for a block of controlled endurance rides. In the past Cycling Ireland has funded the accommodation, with the riders paying for their own flights.
Attendance at the camp does not guarantee national team selection at any point during next season. Likewise, those riders who were not present – and perhaps may not yet even be in contention for selection – can still be picked for Irish teams in 2025.
However, the 11-rider group that was present is comprised of some real talent. And when some of those who were absent are added into the set-up, the pool selectors will be able to pick from next season is perhaps the strongest it has been for years.
