UEC European Track Championships U23/Juniors 2014

This week Ireland competes in the European Track Cycling Championships in Anadia, Portugal, with thirteen riders racing across both sprint and endurance disciplines. This is the largest track cycling team that Ireland has ever entered in a major track cycling event, demonstrating the strength and depth of the upcoming talent. The Championships, which are for U23 and Junior riders, begin on Tuesday 22nd July and continue until Sunday 27th July.

One of the first on the track tomorrow is Ryan Mullen, racing in the U23 Individual Pursuit. Mullen, who won silver in this event last year, will be aiming for a podium finish. Also racing tomorrow morning is Josie Knight, who is making her debut on the track, having competed in the Youth Olympics last summer, and Dylan Foley also races in the Individual Pursuit in his first year in the Senior Ranks.

Irish Track Cycling is steadily moving from strength to strength, and Irish Head Coach Brian Nugent is excited with the progress that is being made:

"Last year we had seven riders at this event, this year we have thirteen, we are fielding two Team Pursuit Teams, and have expanded the programme to have riders racing across endurance and sprint events. We have just completed great preparation in Majorca for these Championships, it is so exciting having so many riders of this quality here. We are now concentrating on Olympic Events, we are looking at Tokyo, and even sooner."

The UEC European Track Championships U23/Junior takes place in Anadia from the 22-27 July.

U23 Team
Cormac Clarke
Eoin Mullen
Ryan Mullen
Shannon McCurley

Plus Two U23s from:
Dylan Foley
Javan Nulty
Thomas Fallon

Junior Team

Autumn Collins
Declan Mulholland
Fintan Ryan
Josie Knight
Mark Downey
Sean Grimes