News

Cycling Ireland is currently accepting expressions of interest for female tandem pilots for the Para Cycling Development Squad.

This opportunity is aimed at riders who are motivated to develop their skills as tandem pilots in a supportive, high-performance development environment, with the potential to progress toward elite and international competition in the future.

While the focus is on the development space, there is also potential for pilots to progress toward elite and international performance over time.

This initiative is about growing the depth of female pilots in para-cycling, supporting long-term athlete development, and strengthening the talent pipeline for tandem endurance events.

The target audience includes experienced female endurance cyclists who may not yet have tandem experience but have the physical capacity, technical skills, and interest to develop as pilots.

Cycling Ireland is inviting Expressions of Interest from female endurance cyclists who are interested in becoming tandem pilots for vision-impaired athletes within the para-cycling development pathway.

About the Role:

A tandem pilot is responsible for controlling and guiding a tandem bicycle in partnership with a vision-impaired athlete (stoker). This role requires strong endurance capacity, excellent bike-handling skills, communication, leadership, and a willingness to learn the specific demands of tandem racing. Cycling Ireland is seeking to grow the depth of female pilots in endurance para-cycling and to identify riders with long-term potential.

This Expression of Interest is suitable for female riders who:

• Have a background in endurance cycling (e.g. road, track, time trial, triathlon)
• Demonstrate strong aerobic capacity and technical riding skills.
• Are interested in para-cycling and inclusive sport
• Are open to learning the specific skills required for tandem piloting
• Can commit to a development-focused training and education process
• Aspire to progress toward high-performance and elite competition over time
• Tandem experience is not essential.

Selected pilots may have access to:

• Structured development opportunities within Cycling Ireland para-cycling
• Coaching support and education specific to tandem piloting
• Opportunities to train and race with vision-impaired athletes
• Monitoring and review with potential progression toward higher performance levels

The Expression of Interest form can be found HERE with applications closing on Sunday February 15th.