Info and photos courtesy of Cycling Ireland

A large team is set to represent Ireland at the Junior & U23 Track Cycling European Championships in the Netherlands. The team comprises eight juniors and five U23 riders all aiming to perform on the European stage and gain valuable major event experience. For the first time, Ireland will field a junior women’s team pursuit squad in a major Championships. The aspiring young riders will be looking to emulate some of the success enjoyed by the Elite Women’s Team Pursuit squad who recently won Gold at the UCI Nations Cup in Russia, just a fraction outside their National Record of 4:21.368. U23 riders Lara Gillespie and Gaby Homer will partner for the Women’s Madison with Lara also racing the Points Race and Omnium. Gaby goes in the Individual Pursuit, Elimination, and Scratch race. In addition to the Team Pursuit, junior riders Erin Creighton, Caoimhe May, Katie Neill, Maia Simmons, Stefan Caulfield Dreier, Odhran Doogan, Niall McLoughlin, and Patrick O’Loughlin will compete in a range of events over the six days in order to maximise racing opportunities and experience.

Women’s Junior team

Katie Neill, TC Racing – Erin Creighton, McConvey Cycles – Maia Simmons, Canyon Development – Caoimhe May, Quanta Scott Orwell

Men’s Junior team

Odhran Doogan, Caldwell Cycles Omagh – Patrick O’Loughlin, Panduit Carrick Wheelers – Stefan Caulfield Dreier, Killarney CC – Niall McLoughlin, Covey Wheelers.

U23 Men and Women’s team

Left to right: Gaby Homer – Rupel Cleaning Champion Lubricants, Harvey Barnes – Spellman-Dublin Port, Cian Keogh- Spellman-Dublin Port, Chris Donald -Spellman -Dublin Port and Lara Gillespie – Rupel Cleaning Champion Lubricants
Great to see, and about time a fast sprinter as Harvey is selected…his teammates Cian and Chris from Spellman-Dublin Port going for the U23 Men’s Madison. Cian will also ride the Individual Pursuit while Chris focuses on the Omnium.