Ireland Team Named For 2023 UEC European Cyclo-cross Championships
Nine riders will represent Ireland at the 2023 UEC European Cyclo-cross Championships in Pont-Chateau, France, on November 4th and 5th.
An exciting squad of junior and U23 riders will fly the Irish flag in France, including three junior women, three junior men and three U23 men.
Dean Harvey spearheads an exciting U23 men's selection on Saturday, November 4th. The elite men's national champion is aiming to follow up his win in Round Three of the Cyclo-cross National Series last weekend with a strong performance as he continues to gain experience at a high level.
Harvey will be joined by Jamie Meehan, who was second behind Harvey in Westport last weekend, as well as Travis Harkness complete a strong trio.
The junior women's race will see three of Ireland's most promising Cyclo-cross riders gain vital experience as multiple Cyclo-cross National Series round winner Aine Doherty is joined by first year juniors Greta Lawless and Aliyah Rafferty.
Conor Murphy, David Gaffney and Joseph Mullen will also combine in a talented line-up for the junior men's race on Sunday, November 5th.
Murphy and Lawless come into the championships in fine form as they continue their development in the sport. Both riders recently returned from an international UCI Cyclo-cross training camp in Switzerland, which included an open race win for Murphy against some promising international riders and a 4th place (3rd placed junior rider) for Lawless.
The selection was made by the Cycling Ireland Off-road Commission, the commission will also manage the team operations in France. Off-road Commission Cyclo-cross Rep, Paul Birchall, will be Team Manager at the Championships.
Paul Birchall said:
"We are excited to be travelling with such a young and strong team to the European Cyclo-cross Championships at Pont-Chateau. With a mix of experience levels and age categories, there is one clear goal for each team member - to represent Ireland and themselves to the very best of their ability. To have nine riders travelling to this major competition confirms to me the positive development of Cyclo-cross in Ireland and on the international stage."
More information on the 2023 UEC European Cyclo-cross Championships can be found here.
Ireland Team - 2023 UEC European Cyclo-cross Championships
Junior Women - November 4th, 10am Irish Time
Aine Doherty
Greta Lawless
Aliyah Rafferty
Junior Men - November 5th, 10am Irish Time
Conor Murphy
David Gaffney
Joseph Mullen
U23 Men - November 4th, 12:30pm Irish Time
Dean Harvey
Jamie Meehan
Travis Harkness