The Invacare Ireland Academy Squad will depart on Wednesday 15th July for Bilbao Spain for the Bizkaiko Bira XIX event held on 18th and 19th July over three stages including a Hill Climb, Time Trial & Road Race.  With development team coach Cathal Miller   mechanic Gerry Beggs and fifteen riders on thirteen bikes its the largest squad ever to depart for an International event.  With the scramble on from countries for qualification points for Rio and with Cycling Ireland exploring new categories with new riders it has provided an excellent opportunity for riders to compete on an International stage. 

Development Coach Cathal Miller said “It has all came together well.  We put it out there as opportunity given to riders that wish to progress themselves on a self funded basis at an International event and they have rose to the challenge.  Out of the thirteen bikes travelling to this event we have three that have World cup events under their belt, a further three have previously taken part in C1 events similar to this.  With this international experience it’s the perfect balance and environment to introduce new riders into this fold.” 

It's exciting times in Para Cycling with results coming in hard and fast.  The Commissions with responsibility for developing the sport have secured further sponsorship from Invacare Ireland with the view of riders competing on the International stage.  The Invacare League is the foundation stone where we have everything built on said Miller.  “Everything revolves around those league dates, it becomes a starting block for any new rider coming through.  A huge thanks goes to all the hosting clubs without which the league could not continue.  I believe in pathways, for new comers and although the pressure will be on some of our more seasoned riders to deliver we will be hoping for a successful trip and bring back those all important qualification points for RIO”.   

 

 

THE SQUAD ARE 

 

Martin Gordon                                     MB                  Independent

Dermot Radford                                  Pilot                Tipperary Wheelers           

 

Damien Vereker                                   MB                  Comeragh CC  

Marcin   Mizgajski                                    Pilot                Rossbury Racing

 

Martin Enright                                      C2                    Midleton CTC                  

 

Aidan Mullane                                       C2                   Bottecchia RC

 

Chris Burns                                             C3                   Banbridge CC

 

Andrew Nicholson                               C4                   Phoenix CC

 

Jerry Towey                                           C4                   Western Lakes

 

Tojo Lazzari                                           C5                   Castlebar CC

 

Ciara Staunton                                      WH2              Murphy Surveys

 

Declan Slevin                                         MH3               Rosemount CC

 

Seamus Wall                                          MH4               Barrow Wheelers

 

Fiona Mc Cormack                               WH5                Independent

 

 LiamCullinane                                           T2                 Galway  CC