Paul Antoine Hagan (Banbridge CC) in action in the Flanders as Graduate 2022…Good results achieved, with his best a top 5 in the “Lucien Van Impe GP” in August!!

A simple process: You are a first or second year Junior in 2023, or a Espoir (U23- 18years old till 22 years old) You hold a Full Competition Irish licence and UCI code, you racing domestically or abroad as amateur, send me your CV which includes last years results, your next of kin details, your licence details (copy incl) your club or team, your coach details and your goals including your hobbies and studies, if you are a junior permission of your parents or guardians to enter… sent to dany@belgianproject.cc , it cost nothing to enter (details also below)

Sam Bolger soaking up experience in the Flanders last year as graduate 2022…finished his races in the top half, even it was not his terrain…could do well this year!!

Once you are entered I ask you to regularly (monthly) send me your results, but more importantly, always let me know if something happened to you due to sickness, or crashes which would be setting you back, this is to take in consideration when selecting. I will judge you on your results, but also on your character, teamwork when racing in a team, your dedication to the sport, and behaviour on social media, I will discuss all entries with some experienced older riders you race with, watch most of you racing, and ask advice if needed from others, this is to have an educational choice in the end. Some of you I will consider racing in Belgium, others for a travel bursary…the amount and how many will depend on funds in June…we are an equality project so ladies are off-course welcome.

The criteria for summer racing in Belgium: A 3-4 week period in July-August will be involved, and you have to be free of any commitments for that period!! A CI international license will be mandatory by the time of traveling, if you would have a call up for the National team after being selected, arrangements can be made to adjust to the situation of course… As a Junior, you will have to have at least 60 CI points acquired before the end of June, this for both years, a call up to the national team during the selection period would be having some weight, but you will have to fit a high profile racing wise and character-wise… As an Under 23 you will have to be an A1 by the end of May at least, have several top results to be considered, and have amateur status. No continental-pros will be accepted as you are already sorted so to speak, and this is to give the domestic young rider a chance for gaining experience…hope this is a fair way of operating… Remember you will be ambassadors for Irish Cycling, and staying with kind and respectable families when chosen! Your bursary will cover the guest parents costs and expenses! If for any reason OTHER than injury, you can not join your guest parents once arranged, the graduate award becomes void, it would give some one else a chance to travel (reserves in place) Your travel cost will have to be paid by you. Once you are chosen we discuss all things you will need such as health insurance and other necessary things to be allowed to race in Belgium