All four Irish riders from the An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly team will be in action at the National Cycling Championships in Carlingford, Louth over the coming days. Ronan McLaughlin, Sam Bennett, Jack Wilson (U23) and Sean Downey will all line out for the Road Race on Sunday (23rd June), with Downey also due to compete in Time Trial Championship this evening (Thursday 20th June).
Competition in this year’s National Road Race Championship will be fierce, with a top class field hungry to oust Matt Brammier as National Champion – a title he has held for the past three consecutive years.
Despite a bad crash at the Boucles de la Mayenne in France, Sam Bennett will be hoping to carry his good form from this year’s An Post Rás into Sunday’s race. The Waterford native took an impressive two stage wins on the Rás and has previously taken the U23 road title, but he admits that Sunday’s outcome will be a very hard one to predict.
“If you look through the field of riders, there is so much talent there. Matt (Brammier) is so strong and he’s been the one to beat the last few years, but there is a large group of riders who definitely have the ability to win that title on their day. I’m feeling good and I love the Nationals, so I’m just excited to get going on Sunday.”
Elsewhere, An Post team rider Niko Eeckhout will take part in the Belgian National Road Race Championship on Sunday while British duo Mark McNally and Kieran Frend will compete in their respective Road Championships in Glasgow on the same day.
An Post riders in National Championships this weekend
Ireland:
- Ronan McLaughlin (Road)
- Sean Downey (TT + Road)
- Sam Bennett (Road)
- Jack Wilson (Road U23)
UK:
- Kieran Frend (Road)
- Mark McNally (Road)
Belgium:
Niko Eeckhout (Road)