Hot off the back of the team success in the Tour d’Alsace, An Post Chain Reaction team members Sean McKenna, Matthew Teggart and Damien Shaw will represent Ireland this weekend in the 2017 European Road Cycling Championships in Denmark. The remaining team mates will travel to Belgium to compete in Dwars door het Hageland (1.2) on Saturday 5th August and Antwerpse Havenpijl (1.2) on Sunday 6th August.
It has been a successful time of late for the An Post Chain Reaction team with victories and strong team performances over the last two weeks. Following a break in the season for Altitude Camp, Mark Stewart used this extensive training to become the UCI Under 23 Individual Pursuit European Champion. The team were also back to winning ways with a fantastic result in the annual Tour d’Alsace (2.2). Bas Tietima took three jersey wins, including the K70 (a one-off day sprint at 70km), Combative and Points Jersey.
Talking about their impressive run of success, team manager Kurt Bogaerts said:
“The wins of late have been a great morale boost for the team. Everyone is in great form following the Altitude Camp in La Molina, (Spain) which has proved hard work can really pay off.”
With confidence at a high point, three Irish members of the An Post Chain Reaction team travel to Denmark for the European Cycling Championships. Following top 15 finishes in two stages of Tour d’Alsace, Matthew Teggart will compete in the 160.8km Men’s U23 Road Race on Saturday, while Damien Shaw and Sean McKenna will compete in the 241.2km Elite Men’s Road Race on Sunday.
Talking of their chances for the weekend, Bogaerts said:
“The Irish riders will have a good chance this weekend. It is great for the guys to represent their country and ultimately prepare themselves for the UCI Road World Championships at the end of the season.”
It will be a busy weekend for the remaining An Post Chain Reaction team members who are based in Belgium for the one day Dwars door het Hageland (1.1) on Saturday and the one day Antwerpse Havenpijl (1.2) on Sunday. Lining out for the team are Mark Stewart (SCO), Jonas Bokeloh (GER), Jacob Scott (ENG), Massimo Vanderaerden (BEL), Adam Jamieson (CAN), Przemyslaw Kasperkiewicz (POL) and Bas Tietema (NED).
An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Racing Team in action at the European Road Race Championships, Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th August:
Sean McKenna (IRE)
Damien Shaw (IRE)
Matthew Teggart (IRE)
An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Racing Team in action at Dwars door het Hageland, Saturday 5th August:
Mark Stewart (SCO)
Adam Jamieson (CAN)
Jonas Bokeloh (GER)
Jacob Scott (ENG)
Massimo Vanderaerden (BEL)
Przemyslaw Kasperkiewicz (POL)
Bas Tietema (NED)
An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Racing Team in action at Antwerpse Havenpijl, Sunday 5th August: