Pathway Spotlight - Reuben Byrne
Two BMX riders were added to the High Performance Pathway Programme for 2026 and this month we spoke to one of those riders, Reuben Byrne, about his experience of the Programme and his season so far.
Just back from UCI BMX World Cup action in Sarrians, and heading back to the same French venue this week for UEC European Championships, Byrne is relishing the opportunity to compete more regularly on the international stage; “It’s a tough step up, but I’m loving it. Even though it’s my first year junior getting to race against the U23 lads has been hard of course but it’s been good. It’s different to racing against lads here, and I’ve been doing it a little while now, so I’m finding my feet and getting stuck into the pack.”
The off-bike supports and resources provided within the programme have proved beneficial to the Ratoath rider already; “I’m on the Programme a few months now, we’re kind of half way through the year and I’ve already seen a big development within myself, especially off the bike. We’re doing psychology stuff I’d not done too much of before, we’re doing nutrition workshops with the wider group and even getting into the gym with Rachel [Doolin of the Sport Ireland Institute]. The development away from the bike has been really good.”
With the addition to this year’s Programme of in house coaching, former British Cycling BMX representative and National Champion Quillan Isidore came on board to work directly with Byrne and fellow Programme BMX athlete Carly Hayes. “Quillan’s done some coaching with me since last year and that’s already brought me on loads as a rider. Obviously he has lots of experience and he’s been able to teach me what he’s learned, even what mistakes he’s made and he’s teaching me through them.”
High Performance Pathway Lead Stuart Balfour had been monitoring Byrne’s development through last year, and now the pair are working closely together within the Programme, and again praised his work away from the bike; “I think Reuben’s managed to pick it up really well, not just on the bike but also off the bike, which for us is really important; how these young riders are learning and adapting to that high performance environment. For us, we’re not expecting them to just hit the ground running, but to learn and start to build on that stuff throughout the year. The way he’s engaged with all the Sport Ireland Institute practitioners has been massive as well. I know they managed to get extra support through the S&C for Reuben and Carly, and I think that's definitely been massively beneficial to link in them with Quillan and have the whole programme working together. It's definitely been really effective and it's great to see him progressing. He's had a wee bit of bad luck in some of the races, so I'm just hoping things come together for him nicely and no doubt well if he just keeps on doing what he's doing.”
Some of that bad luck came last time out in Sarrians. Despite performing well early in races a crash or mechanical outside of the rider’s control can end their event, but Byrne is looking forward to getting back to France and getting another crack at the competition. “I’m really excited to get back there for European Champs. We had the World Cup round there not too long ago and I felt really good, I know the track and the environment. My goal for this champs is to get to a final. You know, I’m still a first year junior so it’s going to be tough, it’s a challenge, but I’m hoping to get to a final and show what I can do.”
Although European Champs are next on the calendar, he’s not stopping there. “I’ve National Champs in Lucan then not long after, at the start of July. I’m looking to get another win under my belt there. For the rest of the year then I’m looking to get abroad again for a few races, one in Belgium in September that I’m looking forward to and mostly building for next year. That’s the aim for most of this year really; just keep building.”