McLaughlin secured the final place in a three man team and will ride alongside Nicholas Roche and Daniel Martin for the men’s Elite Road Race on Sunday, September 23, while Bennett and Downey will take part in the U23 Road Race on Saturday, September 22, alongside Philip Lavery and Jack Wilson.
Both Bennett and McLaughlin are just off the back of a string of impressive performances at the Tour of Britain. Bennett bagged three top 10 finishes before withdrawing as a precaution due to a knee niggle, while McLaughlin proved a constant threat to the big teams with his attacking style, claiming the combativity prize on the fourth stage.
Downey is another who has come on steadily in his debut season with the An Post team. He has already featured for Team Ireland at this year’s World Championships, having competed in the U23 Time Trial event alongside Conor Dunne.
An Post Sean Kelly team manager Kurt Bogaerts is excited to see the Irish riders in such great form but admits there is plenty more to come from them.
“As a manager it gives me great satisfaction to see the guys perform so well at this level. They are young and at the beginning of their careers, so it is exciting to see them gradually get stronger and better and compete against the best in the world.
Sam has been in superb form over the last couple of months. He is getting better all the time and it really proves how much of an affect confidence can have on a rider.
Ronan is so consistent. He performs day in day out and his willingness to attack the field is so great to watch from a neutrals perspective. He gave the big teams so many problems at the Tour of Britain and he fully deserves his place at the World Championships.
Downey is another very talented young rider who has continued to progress and impress me throughout the year” Bogaerts added.
An Post Sean Kelly rider Kenneth Van Bilsen will also compete in the U23 Road Race on Saturday as part of the Belgian national team.
UCI Road World Championships – U23 (Saturday, September 22)
- Sam Bennett (IRL)
- Sean Downey (IRL)
- Kenneth Van Bilsen (BEL)
UCI Road World Championships – Elite (Sunday, September 23)
Ronan McLaughlin (IRL)