Top Cycling Nations to Contest Ireland's Best Track Cyclists in Sundrive this Saturday 6th July

This weekend will see top Nations compete against Ireland's best at the Sundrive Outdoor Track Cycling Velodrome in Dublin in the pursuit of qualification points for the World Championships next year. This is the first time in over 50 years that Ireland has held a track competition that has been recognised as an international event by the UCI (World Cycling Governing Body).

While Ireland does not have an indoor velodrome, Sundrive Velodrome has been instrumental in the development of Ireland's top track cyclists including Martyn Irvine, Caroline Ryan and Eoin Mullen. Irish riders will line out against strong squads from Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, New Zealand and Canada this Saturday. A recent restructuring of the International Track Cycling Calendar means that points achieved in regional UCI events will count towards qualification in World Events.

With World Track Cycling Champion, Martyn Irvine, recovering from injury, the Irish flag will be flown by young sprinter Eoin Mullen and World Bronze Medallist Caroline Ryan.

Speaking ahead of the competition Ryan said: "It is a real honour to be racing a UCI sanctioned event on our own track in Sundrive. I am feeling good after retaining my National Time Trial Title a few weeks ago, and am looking forward to taking on the other nations in front of home crowd for a change."

Ryan faces tough competition from some of cycling's top nations, including Silver Medallist from the Commonwealth Games, Charline Joiner, and up and coming Belgian star Else Belmans. Eoin Mullen, Ireland's top sprinter, who is based in the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, will line up against professionals like UK's Jamie McCallum and 2012 World Champion Andy Tennant. Top youngster Ryan Mullen will also be competing, the two Mullens are using this race as preparation for next week's European U23 Track Championships in Portugal, for which they leave the following day.

Along with the international riders, Ireland's best domestic riders will get a taste of the cream of the top over the 5 events on offer. Racing kicks off at 10am and the full and packed programme guarantees exciting racing throughout the day, with good weather also on the cards. Sundrive Velodrome is located in the Eamonn Ceannt Park off Sundrive Road, and entry is free for anyone who wants to witness the world's elite track cyclists in action.