2023 UEC Junior and U23 Track Championships Selection
Action from the 2022 UEC Track Junior And U23 European Championships
Cycling Ireland are opening an expression of interest form ahead of selections for the UEC Track Junior and U23 European Championships this Summer.
The UEC Track Junior and U23 European Championships this year takes place in Anadia, Portugal over 11-16th July. Technical guides for these events may be found here.
Riders wishing to be considered for selection should download and complete the relevant expression of interest form using this link and return to HPAdmin@cyclingireland.ie no later than Sunday 11th June. A guidance form for completing the form is available here.
It’s essential anyone wishing to be considered for selection submits their Expression of Interest on time!
High Performance Director Iain Dyer outlined the process;
“To ensure that we have all the available and appropriate information to hand when the selection panel meet, this expression of interest form allows all prospective athletes to submit their information so that nothing is missed by the panel, and everyone is considered equally.”
“To double check this the panel will meet initially immediately following the closing date for an information gathering meeting and see that there’s no gaps in the forms. We’d ask all those submitting an expression of interest to use the original excel format wherever possible. We then have a few days grace period to follow up any gaps in the forms before the selection panel meet.”
“It is essential that the process stands up to scrutiny. The selection panel will comprise of our coaching staff and independent members where appropriate. It will be chaired by myself, but I will not get to vote on selections, and our HP Admin Mgr will be note-taker. The discipline lead will produce recommendations for the panel to consider, but where that lead has an active coaching role within that cohort or other conflict of interest, they won’t be a voting panel member in that discipline.”
Last year's small team saw consistent top 5 finishes from Lara Gillespie in the U23 women’s endurance events and she has gone on to have a successful season on road and track this year, as well as some breakthrough performances from young female Junior riders Aoife O’Brien and Erin Creighton, who both went on to represent Ireland at the Junior World Track Championships a month later.
National Track Coach Dan Henchy said:
“This event is a great target for young aspiring professional track riders to test themselves against the best in Europe in their age category. Our primary aim is to be medal competitive ideally, but second to this is understanding how this event can be a great learning experience and prove a good springboard for further international events in future."
Dates to note:
Expressions of interest close Sunday 11th June.
Information gathering and selection panel meet w/c Mon 12th June. Athletes notified of selection outcomes by w/c 19th June.
Team travel TBC.
Championships 11-16th July.