The Irish members of the An Post Sean Kelly team are gearing up to take part in the national championships over the coming days.
Ronan McLaughlin and Sean Downey will be the first riders in action as they line up in the National Time Trial Championship, which starts in Cahir on Thursday evening.
The pair will then be joined by their Rás teammates, Sam Bennett and Conor McConvey, for the Road race, which starts from Clonmel at midday on Sunday.
Bennett, who took the Under-23 Road award home last year, is aiming to go one better by claiming the senior title this weekend, but he is under no illusions as to how tough the task will be.
“It hasn’t been long since the Rás and after two podium finishes there it would be great to win the senior event in Clonmel this weekend. All the big names like Martin, Roche and Brammeier will be back so it’s going to be difficult but I’m confident in my ability and anything can happen on the day,” he said.
