Seven-rider Irish team picked for European U23 & Junior Track Champs

Just as a national team, of Irish juniors, was commencing the Ghent International Track Meeting in Belgium, Cycling Ireland has confirmed the seven-rider selection to represent Ireland at the European U23 and Junior Track Championships.

Those European title races take place the week after next in Cottbus, Germany; starting next Tuesday, July 9th, and running to Sunday week, July 14th.

The vast majority of the team is made up of junior riders – male and female – with Erin Creighton the sole U23 cyclist being selected. A very experienced campaigner, the McConvey Cycles rider has already established herself as part of the senior team pursuit set-up that has qualified for the OIympics.

After taking a fantastic 4th place in the elimination race at the World Junior Track Championships two years ago in Israel, she was soon selected for the senior national team. And she now goes into these U23 Europeans with significant international experience under her belt.

The women’s junior team for the Europeans is comprised of Lucy Bénézet Minns (Tofauti Everyone Active), Mya Doocey (Spellman Dublin Port) and Rhiannon Dolan (TC Racing).

The men’s junior team also consists of three riders; Seth Dunwoody (Cannibal B Victorious), Luca Holmes (Spellman Dublin Port) and Philip O’Connor (Dungarvan CC).

Cycling Ireland said it would set out in coming days which races each rider will take on at the Europeans. The federation’s high performance director, Iain Dyer, said he was very much looking forward to seeing the seven riders in action in Germany.

“It’s great to see such a strong team assembled for both male and female endurance events. I am sure they will grasp this opportunity with both hands, and I hope it will inspire them to keep forging a path in their track racing careers,” he said.

“At only 20 years old, but already with senior championship experience to call upon, Erin is now the ‘oldest’ in the group, but I’m certain the younger riders will be able to benefit from her experience.”