Belgian based Kerrywoman Michelle Geoghegan has been called up to the Irish Team for An Post Rás na mBan following the sudden withdrawal of Lauren Creamer from the lineup.

Michelle Geoghegan

Michelle Geoghegan

Belgian based Kerrywoman Michelle Geoghegan has been called up to the Irish Team for An Post Rás na mBan following the sudden withdrawal of Lauren Creamer from the lineup.

Creamer was named in the squad on last Friday evening but before the end of the weekend word reached the organisers that the Birmingham based rider was pulling out of the event.

Those stories were confirmed today with the inclusion of Geoghegan, a former international who has ridden the Tour de l’Ardèche for the national team in the past and who is a seasoned campaigner on the continent.

Creamer says that she has decided to pull out of the event to focus on recovery ahead of the winter track season. It’s not known if this is linked to long running speculation about a Cycling Ireland Team Pursuit squad aimed at qualifying for the Rio Olympics.

“My winter plans are taking a different direction this year so me and my coach have decided that I need some time in September to recuperate between what has been an intense road season and this winter’s track season,” said Creamer in an email to Rás na mBan.

Meanwhile Geoghegan, who had entered this year’s Rás na mBan with the Joe Daly Cycles team has been promoted to the national squad.

The former Orwell Wheelers racer has raced with Dutch teams for the past four seasons. She currently lives in Oudenaarde, Belgium and rides with the Dutch registered Endura Lady Force team.

This will be the 2009 Irish National League Champion’s first appearance at Rás na mBan. She was actually selected on the Irish team for the 2010 event but was a late withdrawal with a dislocated shoulder on that occasion.