Irish team named for UCI Junior Nations Cup amid selectors’ headaches

Cycling Ireland has named a very strong Irish team for the upcoming UCI Junior Nations Cup in Hungary, which will involve three stages over two days of racing.

The inclusion of a TT in the race – which will be the final stage of three – can really suit the Irish team as Conor Murphy (Academy Région Sud p/b Giant) has broken the Irish junior record over 10 miles several times in recent weeks.

Seth Dunwoody (Cannibal B Victorious) has impressed several times over the last two seasons in TTs in European races. And with his one-day performances of late in Europe, he will definitely be out for a big result.

Also selected for the race are: Junior Tour of Ireland stage winner Max Fitzgerald (JEGG-DJR Academy U19), David Gaffney (Team 31 Jolly Cycles U19(, Jospeh Mullen (Zappi Racing), and Cal Tutty (JEGG-DJR Academy U19).

The event – Nation’s Cup Hungary – is the last of the UCI Junior Nations Cup races of the year, with an Irish team also expected to be selected for the World Road Championships towards the end of the season.

The opening stage on August 14th is 136.5km staring and finishing in Vásárosnamény while the second road stage, the following morning, takes the riders some 86.3km, starting and finishing in Ibrány, before the concluding short TT in the afternoon.

Michael Black of Cycling Ireland said the team selected was a very strong one, and pointed to selectors’ headaches of late given the strength in the junior group in Ireland at present.

“Choosing a team of riders is becoming increasingly challenging due to the exceptionally talented and diverse pool of riders,” he said. “The current group of junior riders in Ireland are performing at a high level, gaining valuable international experience, and are capable of making significant contributions to any national team.

“Unfortunately, some riders will inevitably be disappointed by not being selected, but this reflects the high standard of our juniors rather than their individual abilities.

“This situation has positive implications, as it ensures riders are appropriately challenged and continue to develop into stronger, more experienced competitors as they progress to senior ranks.

“We are really looking forward to challenging for stage and overall wins in this race, contributing to our nation ranking and once again putting our junior riders at the front of any international race at junior field”