Road European Championships Ireland Team Update
Ireland are looking forward to the UEC Road European Championships taking place from Wednesday, September 20th, until Sunday, September 24th.
Earlier this month, Ireland named a team of 26 riders to take part in the championships, including junior, U23 and elite riders in all men and women's road races.
However, due to a number of factors, there have been a some late changes to the team to represent Ireland at the championships in Drenthe, Netherlands.
Sam Bennett suffered from an illness following his participation in the Tour of Britain, after consultation with his team's medical staff, the sprinter unfortunately had to withdraw from the elite men's road race.
Ryan Mullen, originally scheduled to take part in both the elite men's time trial and road race, has withdrawn from the road race due to personal circumstances. His participation in the championships will be in the time trial.
Ryan Mullen said:
"Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances arising, I have had to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the European Championships Road Race. I will only race the Time Trial this week. I would like to thank Cycling Ireland for giving me the opportunity to race and for their understanding of my situation. Its really encouraging to see so many young and upcoming riders here as part of the team. The European Championships are a fantastic event which has provided me with great opportunities to perform over the years and it's exciting to see a strong bunch of Irish riders that have the chance to show their best in the green jersey."
Due to the late nature of Bennett and Mullen's withdrawal from the elite men's road race, the riders could not be replaced. Rory Townsend and Dillon Corkery will represent Ireland in Sunday's elite men's road race.
Megan Armitage has been replaced by Fiona Mangan for Saturday's elite women's road race. Cycling Ireland has respected Megan’s decision to withdraw from the championships following her recent concussion incurred prior to AG Tour de la Semois.
Archie Ryan has withdrawn from the U23 men's road race. The Jumbo Visma Development Team rider has been offered the opportunity to ride the Tour de Luxembourg (2.Pro) with the Team Jumbo Visma world tour team. The stage race begins on Wednesday, September 20th. Ryan will not be replaced due to the late nature of the withdrawal.
Finally, Erin Creighton has withdrawn from the U23 women's road race due to injuries sustained following a crash at the 2023 Rás na mBan. No reserve riders were nominated for the U23 women's road race, therefore Creighton will not be replaced.
Read our full Road European Championships preview here.
Ireland Team 2023 UEC Road European Championships
Junior Men Time Trial - September 20th
Adam Rafferty
Liam O'Brien
Patrick Casey
Junior Men Road Race - September 23rd
Seth Dunwoody
Adam Rafferty
Liam O'Brien
Patrick Casey
Cal Tutty
Oisin Ferrity
Junior Women Time Trial - September 20th
Lucy Benezet Minns
Aine Doherty
Julia Murphy
Junior Women Road Race - September 24th
Lucy Benezet Minns
Aine Doherty
Julia Murphy
U23 Men Time Trial - September 20th
Darren Rafferty
Dean Harvey
U23 Men Road Race - September 22nd
Darren Rafferty
Dean Harvey
Odhran Doogan
Jamie Meehan
Kevin McCambridge
U23 Women Road Race - September 22nd
Lara Gillespie
Caoimhe O'Brien
Aoife O'Brien
Elite Men Time Trial - September 20th
Ryan Mullen
Elite Men Road Race - September 24th
Rory Townsend
Dillon Corkery
Elite Women Time Trial - September 20th
Kelly Murphy
Elite Women Road Race - September 23rd
Alice Sharpe
Fiona Mangan
Find out more about the 2023 UEC Road European Championships here.