Each of them has produced top results home and abroad to justify their selection, let’s introduce them
Marc Heaney U23 (Asfra-Flanders-pxl Belgium) is a full-time rider and does his racing mostly in Belgium. He races in the UCI 1.12 ranks which is the highest amateur level in the Flanders, and occasionally pro kermesses and interclub’s ( lots of UCI pro teams send their U23 neo-pro’s to such races) After some health problems earlier in the year back to his old form and bronze medal holder in the U/23 Nationals in Derry this year. Add some good stage results in the mix (6th in a stage at the Tour of Vlaams Brabant lately) and some decent finishes in interclub’s he is ready for the big one. Marc has been a graduate a few years ago and for the last 2 years a bursary holder of the project…he could feature in the finale of the Champs his form predicted
(Photo Martine Verfaillie)
Dillon Corkery U23 Bursary holder of the BP (Bioracer-DHS-FR services) has been active with his team who have been participating in all big events here and some classic’s in England, producing some very decent results. This very pleasant lad has been a few times in the National Team this year just like Marc above and each time very valuable for the team hence his call up again. They have a common factor as both at some stage in the last few years being a guest of Martine Verfaillie our guest mum and photographer in Belgium. Racing with one of the top teams in Ireland and guided by people like Tim Cassidy and ex Ras winner Stephen Gallagher he has everything needed to do well in Alkmaar!
(photo Martine Verfaillie)
Kevin Mc Cambridge Junior & Graduate BP (NRPT-Vitus-Chill) is one of the most exciting young riders we have in Ireland, a wee gentleman I would call him with an enormous engine who has taken Belgium Races like a fish to water. Last weeks win was no fluke in the Flanders, some top 10’s earlier as a graduate of the project at Belgian UCI 1.14.3 races indicated a win, and win he did! Already being top junior in the Irish ranking, close to an overall win in the Irish Junior Tour and a few call ups of Team Ireland, throw in his numerous wins in Ireland and abroad Kevin is certainly a medal prospect. Seen here above with Cathir Doyle who also won a race 10 days ago in Belgium. (Unfortunately, Cathir’s form came too late, due to sickness and exams he only starts motoring well in the last couple of weeks and missed the boat so to speak) They both have been staying in Beitem with other guest parents Rik Masil and Sabien Himpe. (Photo Nancy Goossens Belgium)
Nathan Keown Junior & Bursary holder of the BP (North Down CC) and one of the upcoming youngsters with some performances you can say SIR to…Only 2 days ago he clocked a podium in Torhout (BEL) just beaten in the sprint to second! This after a 6th the day before in Kooigem and some top 20 results in Belgium as part of the Belgian Project summer scheme…a win would have been on the cards if he would have stayed longer, but he won’t mind as a call up to Team Ireland for the second time is something you can not beat. He will travel tomorrow with Marc Heaney to Alkmaar from Belgium with the train to join the Irish team in Holland. His guest parent Hein Derynck (Tielt) told me yesterday he is so proud of his poulain and very honoured to had him in his home which means a lot to me too
(Photo courtesy of Pol Demeyere Pomer Belgium)

Here the full line up of the Irish Team this weekend in Alkmaar (Netherlands)

Junior Women: Maeve Gallagher (RR) Lucy O’Donnell (RR)

Junior Men: Nathan Keown (RR), Kevin McCambridge (TT & RR), Tom Moriarty (RR), Finley Newmark (RR), Archie Ryan (TT & RR), Will Ryan (RR)

U23 Men: Ben Healy (TT & RR), Michael O’Loughlin (TT & RR), Daragh O’Mahony (RR), Marc Heaney (RR), Dillion Corkery (RR) Conn McDunphy (RR)

Elite Women: Alice Sharpe (TT & RR), Anna Turvey (TT), Kelly Murphy (TT)

Elite Men: Sam Bennett (RR), Eddie Dunbar (RR & TT), Ryan Mullen (TT), Connor Dunne (RR), Rory Townsend (RR), Matthew Teggart (RR), Robert Jon McCarthy (RR)

The Belgian Project wishes them all a safe and successful time in the Netherlands

Sam Bennet must be one of the favourites in the Elite race, with such strong team behind him should see him very close.
(photo courtesy of Fotozone Armagh)