Selection for the UEC Junior and U23 European Track Champs and UCI Junior World Track Championships

Selection for the UEC Junior and U23 European Track Champs and

UCI Junior World Track Championships

The High Performance Unit are today opening up a joint expressions of interest process for two major upcoming track championship events. 

This Summer’s UEC Junior and U23 Track European Championships retains it’s familiar age group format and will be hosted in Cottbus, Germany from the 9-14th July. The impressive semi-covered 333m concrete track last hosted the event in 2007. 

A month later the UCI Junior Track World Championships is considerably further afield in Luoyang, China in the more familiar indoor 250m environment over 21-25th August. 

Both events provide selected riders with a great opportunity to compete on the international stage. Last year saw Lara Gillespie win gold in both the Points Race and Omnium at the U23 European Championships. Gillespie has continued to go from strength to strength, playing a vital role in Ireland's historic qualification of the Women's Team Pursuit Team in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.. 

Cycling Ireland High Performance Director Iain Dyer explained why selection will cover both events; 

“The panel are essentially casting their eyes over the same cohort for two significant championship events only weeks apart. Given that it would be too late to put plans in place and secure VISAS if we selected the Jnr Worlds after the Euro’s, it makes sense that we combine selection for both.

"Whilst any Championship event is a significant undertaking, travelling all the way to China represents a considerable challenge, but it’s essential Ireland is represented at this event if the team are to maintain eligibility for the senior track World Championships as well. 

Dyer added;

“We have some good young riders moving through the HP pathway and gaining exposure and experience of different tracks and levels of racing. The challenge for young riders at this time of year is always navigating their exam commitments and for endurance riders perhaps also their road racing calendar as well, so the sooner we can confirm selections the better for all. Racing in China is a massive undertaking, but I am sure we have some good riders that will benefit from the experience and race competitively.”

Click here for Expression of Interest Guidance Notes. These notes provide advice to riders/parents how to complete the expression of interest form.

Click here for Expression of Interest Form. 

Please note the closing date for submitting your expressions of interest is Monday 3rd June at 5pm.