Shinrone cyclist selected to represent Ireland at Olympic Games

OFFALY cyclist Megan Armitage has been selected to represent Team Ireland at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Megan Armitage is a native of Shinrone and she will contest the road race for Team Ireland, the country's only representative in the women's road race, which takes place on Sunday August 4th. Ben Healy and Ryan Mullen will be Ireland's representatives in the men's road race. All three riders are making their Olympic debut.

Armitage will become the first Irish woman to compete in the Olympics in thirty years, when she competes in the women’s road race.

Offaly’s Armitage has been a dominant force in the Irish road cycling scene over the past few years. Both the men’s and women’s road races start and finish at the Trocadero, with the men’s race being 273km, including 2,800m of climbing. The women’s race is 158km, with 1,700m of climbing.

Armitage is embracing the event; “When I started cycling four years ago, I never believed I would have the opportunity to represent Ireland at the Olympics. It truly is a dream come true. I am incredibly proud of the journey I’ve been on to get to this point, and the people who have supported me from the beginning. I hope to do them and myself proud in Paris.”

Hailing from Shinrone, Megan Armitage has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to her sport, emerging as one of Ireland's rising stars in the world of cycling. A fierce competitor, Megan has overcome numerous challenges to earn her place on the international stage, solidifying her position as a true inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.

Currently riding for EF Education-Cannondale, she became the first ever Irish woman to win a UCI-ranked stage race at the Vuelta Extremadura Féminas in March 2023.

She was due to become the first female Irish rider to compete in the Tour de France last year but an unfortunate injury picked up the week before the race was due to start robbed her of that opportunity.

Olympic Federation of Ireland Chef de Mission for Paris 2024, Gavin Noble said “The road cycling events will be spectacular in Paris, set against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful cities in the world! They are a key event in the theme of the Olympics ‘Games Wide Open’, giving spectators the opportunity to watch Olympic action un-ticketed. Ben, Ryan and Megan are making their Olympic debut, but as hugely accomplished athletes in cycling, and we are looking forward to supporting them over the coming weeks.”

National Head Coach with Cycling Ireland, Neill Delahaye, said, “This Paris Olympics is set to be a very special Games for road cycling fans. The backdrop of the city will be a spectacular and familiar sight to anyone who has watched the final stage of Le Tour in recent years. Our three road riders may be Olympic debutantes but they are experienced World Tour riders in the highest ranks of professional cycling. They are here because they are capable of delivering world class performances on the terrain Paris presents.

“The courses are tough. The road races will be relentless, with a reduced bunch size compared to usual pro-races, smaller team sizes, and no radios leading to a different dynamic than most Championship races. We believe this can play to the strengths and racing instincts of our riders.

“Ben and Megan have demonstrated a naturally aggressive racing style over punch terrain at these distances and we are really excited to see what they can do. There is no doubt being part of this historical Team Ireland will bring an extra level of intent, motivation and inspiration to all our cyclists. It’s such an honour to be part of this Olympics.”