Ireland Assembles Strong Team for UCI Road Cycling World Championships

Ben Healy headlines a six-member squad representing Ireland at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships scheduled for September 28, 2024, in Rwanda. Healy, 24, achieved significant recognition this summer by wearing the yellow jersey for two days during the Tour de France, marking a pivotal moment in his career with a stage victory. Earlier this year, he also secured a podium finish at the prestigious Liège-Bastogne-Liège race.

Healy’s recent performances in the Irish national jersey include notable top-10 finishes at last year’s World Championships in Switzerland and the Olympic Games held in Paris last summer. He finished seventh in the 2023 World Championships, behind Tadej Pogačar, who became the first rider since Stephen Roche in 1987 to clinch the triple crown of cycling by winning the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and World Championships.

Joining Healy in Kigali is Eddie Dunbar, a two-time stage winner at the Vuelta a España. Dunbar had a strong showing this year at the Tour de France before an injury curtailed his efforts. The squad also includes Ryan Mullen, the current national time-trial champion. Mullen will compete in both the individual time trial on September 21 and the road race, having previously finished just outside the top 10 in the time trial in Paris.

Rory Townsend, the reigning national road race champion, is set to participate as well. Townsend recently achieved his team’s first World Tour victory at the ADAC Cyclassics in Germany. Darren Rafferty, last year’s national road race winner, moves up to the elite level after showing promise at the Giro d’Italia and is expected to compete in both the time trial and road race.

The squad is rounded out by Archie Ryan, who is currently racing in his debut grand tour in Spain. Ryan previously finished 21st at last year’s elite World Championships and is a former stage winner at the Tour de l’Avenir.

High Expectations for the Championships

Head coach Neill Delahaye expressed optimism about the upcoming championships, stating, “This year’s Worlds in Rwanda are set to be a truly epic championships. It is the first time the UCI Road Worlds are being held on the continent of Africa, and we expect this milestone event to garner substantial support and excitement both in Kigali and around the globe.”

The course poses a formidable challenge, measuring 267.5 kilometers with an elevation gain of 5,475 meters. Delahaye noted that the environmental conditions could add to the difficulty. He emphasized the strength and experience of his team, stating, “We are very proud to have this depth in the current generation of riders, all of whom are motivated to give their all in the green jersey.”

Delahaye highlighted the varied skill sets within the team, noting that each rider brings unique strengths that complement one another. He indicated that maintaining energy and minimizing stress during the race will be crucial for achieving a favorable outcome.

“We aim to use our full allocation of six quota slots to support our ambition of placing an Irish rider on the podium,” Delahaye added. With confidence in the riders’ capabilities, he underscored the commitment to enabling them to execute their best performance in Kigali on September 28.