Photos in feature collage courtesy of Sharon Mc Farland, John Hammer, and BP media, photos below as indicated
Foreword Dany: ” Due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, and not being able to run the selection process, 2022 was a welcomed year to get back to normal, giving the chance to the previous year’s entries + this year’s ones to get noticed. In January some support was already given to some youth development teams and some exceptional riders to justify the funds received for that purpose in the covid years, but limited as most of my sponsors got a break too (£1100 was allocated), but with my MC-Jobs and fresh funds of our sponsors the summer selections and bursaries, I was able to run this as normal again this year and another £3000 will be shared and hand over to the successful 16 riders, which include some young ladies. This will happen over the next few weeks, by post or personal. The 4 graduates will also receive a Belgian Project Graduation Trophy, and the bursary holders a BP gold medal, this is kindly donated by Alan Bingham https://www.facebook.com/alanbingham2000 of AB trophies in Warrenpoint. Off-course some of you will be disappointed, but I would encourage you to re-enter again in 2023. I had to look at availability, results, entering difficult races, and updating me with their results for the races I couldn’t visit. Also, their character is very important, as they will be ambassadors for the Belgian Project and Irish Cycling in the future, especially the ones who will travel to Belgium as they are staying with families who are good friends. The ability to improve and suited for Belgian races was also a big factor. Here below are the lucky ones for this year…A more in-depth report in the coming weeks as not much time now due to my mad schedule in the next weeks with the Nationals and the Newry 3-day, but for now well done to you all…and deserved as well!!” Ps. The Graduates will travel to Belgium, after the Junior Tour half July, or the Tour the Avenir for the U23s end of July or earlier if not selected (just in case they are called up for the national team duty) but most importantly the availability of the guest parents around that time, as they will give 3-4 weeks of their time to our youngsters!
The Junior and Espoir BP Graduates 2022 (their Palmares will be published at a later date and receive £ 280 or € 320 of funding) 4
The 2022 Bursary holders (U23’s-Juniors- Ladies receiving £150 travel funding) 12
The bursaries will be paid out in the first half of July …I ask each of you to send me your postal address, and what name on the cheque, and when you do stories about your cycling efforts on social media, tag the Belgian Project if possible…regards, Dany B
