Irish European Championships team 2007

June 07

Irish Downhill team manager, Joe Ward, recently announced his Euros team selection for the2007 European Championships which will be held in Greece on 28th/29th July 2007.

The team is as follows:

Elite

Ben Reid

Ben Reid, who competes in events all over the world, has a host of titles to ass to his belt. Ben has been Irish is the 2006 Irish National Champion and his more recent results include placing 11th in the Chambery World Cup, 38th in the Mont St Anne World Cup, 6th and 9th in the 2007 British NPS events. Ben, from Newtownards, is sponsored by Ironhorse and is without a doubt the best of the Irish.

Gerard Wolfe

Gerard has been competing at a high level in Ireland for a number of years now and was a member of the team who went to the World Championships in New Zealand in 2007. In 2007 he has placed in top 3 in the Irish NPS, and also recently finished in 21st position in the Maxxis Cup in Andorra. Gerard is a member of Epic MTB club and son of former Irish downhill manager, Brian Wolfe.

Greg O'Keefe

Greg O'Keefe is riding in his first year as an Elite rider in Ireland. Some of Greg's results in 2007 include placing 9th in the british NPS Round 2 in the expert category, as well as 3rd in the Scottish SDA in Fortwilliam this month. Greg is from Cork and is involved with the 021 racing club.

Junior

Ewan Doherty

Ewan, who is sponsored by Breathe Eze Fitness, from Belfast, has had success is Ireland' top junior rider. Ewan has placed 1st in all but 1 2007 Irish NPS and also placed 7th in British NPS Round 2 as well as 14th in the SDA round 1 and 3. Ewan is the current U16 Irish champion, however has moved to the junior category for the 2007 season.

Jason Murphy

Jason Murphy, is also in his first year as a junior in Ireland. Jason has had top 3 results in the Irish 200 NPS and also finished 15th in the Scottish SDA Series in Fort William. He also placed 31st in the British NPS. Jason is one of the many members of the Killarney squad.

Seanan O'Riordan

Seanan O'Riordan, sponsored by Kendor Management has placed in 2nd and 4th positions in the 2007 Irish NPS. Recently, seanan placed in 3rd position in the Maxxis Cup in Andorra. Seanan, who competed at junior level a year prematurely in 2006, finished in 2nd place at the Irish National Championships in 2006 and finished in 4th place overall.

Commenting on the team selection, Irish team manager Joe Ward said I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the riders involved in the squad for supporting my team selection . I would also like to thank Chain Reaction for supplying Dale McMullan as the team mechanic. Thanks also to Glyn O Brien for his support as Team Coach and Cycling Ireland for the funding

IrishDH would like to take this opportunity to wish the team and management every success at the European championships in Greece.