Cycling Ireland has announced a strong team for the UEC Track European Championships in Grenchen, Switzerland, from February 8th to 12th.
Eight riders have been selected to represent Ireland in the championships, including all six riders that competed in the World Championships last October.
Off the back of a promising 2022 season for the Irish National Team, the focus switches to preparation and qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games this year.
National Track Coach Dan Henchy said, “It’s exciting to be able to name such a strong team for the first major track championship of 2023 with a group of riders who have all achieved podium results in international UCI track events. The European Championships is a big event in its own right, and this year has extra significance as the first qualification event towards the 2024 Olympic Games.”
“The standard of competition is sure to be very high and we’ll be looking for the team to continue the progression from last season and show that we can compete with the top riders in Europe. This event will springboard straight into the Nations Cup programme so a strong start to Olympic qualification is needed with a busy race schedule to follow in the coming months.”
Irish National Team For Track European Championships
Women’s endurance (Event selections will be confirmed in due course)
Alice Sharpe, Emily Kay, Kelly Murphy, Lara Gillespie, Mia Griffin
Women’s sprint
Orla Walsh – sprint, keirin, 500m TT
Men’s endurance
JB Murphy – scratch, omnium
Men’s sprint
Conor Rowley – sprint, keirin
