Racing begins today for the Irish National Cycling Team at the 2017 UCI Road World Championships, which takes place in Bergen, Norway, from the 17-24 September. Eighteen riders will compete across eight events over the next seven days, with Ireland fielding six riders in the Elite Road Race on the final day of racing.
National U23 Champion Michael O’Loughlin is the only rider in action today – competing in the Men’s U23 Time Trial. The 37km race against the clock starts at 12 noon, Irish time. The course includes the Birkelundsbakken climb and the finish will be the same as that in the road races.
On Tuesday Eileen Burns will be racing in the Elite Women’s Time Trial over a 21.1km course, the same route that will be tackled on the same day by European and World Pursuit medallist Xeno Young and Junior Tour winner Ben Walsh in the Junior Men’s event.
Nicholas Roche will be competing for Ireland in the Elite Men’s Time Trial, a 31km race which includes a hill top finish – with the final 3.4km averaging 9.1% gradient.
The Road Races take place between Friday and Sunday, with the U23 Men and Elite Men fielding a large Irish field.
