Four An Post Sean Kelly Riders to compete in 2011 National Championships
The An Post team will be aiming to repeat their recent success at the Rás by having one of their riders claim top spot at this weekend’s Irish National Cycling Championships in Monaghan.
Philip Lavery is one of four riders who will line up alongside 120 competitors this Sunday (26th) in a bid to win the right to wear the National Champion’s jersey for the next twelve months. The young Dubliner just missed out on a place on the winning Rás team as he made his way back to full fitness following a bout of illness. He previously made the podium in 2009, taking 3rd place in the Under 23 category.
Teammate Sam Bennett will be aiming to go one step better this year by winning the senior title, having won the Under 18 jersey in 2008 and the Under 23 category at last year’s championships in Sligo. He will be joined by Mark Cassidy, who is another previous winner of the Under 23 class, which he achieved in 2007.
The final An Post rider taking part is Donegal man Ronan McLaughlin, who missed out on last year’s event due to a broken wrist. He last enjoyed success in the Nationals in 2009, where he took 2nd place, ahead of Lavery, in the U23 category. McLaughlin is the only member of the quartet who will ride in Friday’s time trial event.
“I’m really looking forward to riding in the Nationals and racing in Ireland again” said Lavery “I was disappointed to miss out on the Rás last month, but I realised that I it was the right decision as I hadn’t got back to full fitness. It’s not going to be easy to win the race, especially when you look at the calibre of riders who will be taking part, but we will be giving it our all and hopefully one of the An Post riders will take the Elite jersey home.”
An Post riders have a good record in the senior event, as previous team member David O’Loughlin took the honours on three occasions, while Matt Brammeier also won the event while riding with the team last year. This year’s event takes place from Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th and is hosted by Emyvale Cycling Club.
An Post Sean Kelly riders taking part in the 2011 National Cycling Championships
- Philip Lavery
- Sam Bennett
- Ronan McLaughlin
- Mark Cassidy
2011 Irish National Championships Programme
- Thu 23rd Elite Women’s/Paracycling Time Trial @ 7pm Emyvale
- Fri 24th Senior Men’s Time Trial Championship @ 6pm Emyvale
- Sat 25th Women’s Road Race Championsip @ 11am Scotstown
- Sat 25th Veterans’ Road Race Championship @ 3pm Scotstown
- Sun 26th Senior Men’s Road Race Championship @ 11am Scotstown