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Team Named Ahead of UEC Track European Championships

ByEmma Porter |

Nine athletes will head to Konya, Turkey for the upcoming Track European Championships. The championships take place from Sunday 1st until Thursday, 5th of February 2026.

Over the past number of years there has been a continued focus and development on the Track Cycling programme in Ireland. 2025 saw Lara Gillespie win Gold at the European and the World Track Championships in the Elimination race.

Sadly Gillespie will not be racing to retain her European Champion’s jersey next month as she has commitments with her road team.

The following athletes, listed alphabetically, are selected:

Women’s Endurance: 

  • Lucy Benezet Minns
  • Erin Creighton
  • Emma Jeffers
  • Fiona Mangan
  • Aoife O’Brien
  • Caoimhe O’Brien
  • Esther Wong

Men’s Endurance

  • Matti Dobbins
  • Max Fitzgerald

Speaking about the team selection Cycling Ireland National Track Coach, Dan Henchy, said, “We’re looking forward to build on a productive 2025 spent developing new riders and bringing them through our High Performance Pathway. The size of the squad and the selection of male riders is a testimony to that progress over the last year.

“It will be a shame not to see Lara compete in the rainbow jersey at this event in defending her European title, as along with another regular teammate, Mia Griffin. Both are on duty with their road teams so unable to make the trip to Konya.

“Nevertheless, it’s positive to be fielding a large team comprised mostly of younger riders looking to emulate their achievements in the future.”

For more information on the event, click HERE.

Apeldoorn Next Gen Track Event

In the meantime, four Irish riders have been selected for the Netherlands for the Apeldoorn Next Gen Track Event this week.

  • Emer Heverin
  • Aoife Craig
  • George Sevastopulo
  • Elliott McKeegan
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