Cian Keogh delivered consistent domestic performances and key team support across a busy 2026 campaign that secured him 20th place on the C1 rankings with 98 points.
Cian Keogh, APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery, put together a well-rounded 2026 season that blended domestic excellence, selfless teamwork and valuable international experience. The 27-year-old finished the year 20th on the C1 national road rankings with 98 points, underlining his reliability in a competitive field.
Rás Tailteann Highlight: Pivotal Support for McDunphy and Team Success
The clear highlight came at the 71st Rás Tailteann in May. Keogh played a pivotal role in helping teammate Conn McDunphy claim overall victory. APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery also secured the international team prize, with Liam Flanagan taking two stage wins during a dominant week for the squad.
Keogh contributed strongly throughout the five stages, featuring in the break on the Wicklow stage and helping control the race. He finished the race after a small crash at the end of the final stage into Dunboyne, an injury that did not prevent the team from celebrating a landmark success.
Domestic Results: Win, Podiums and Consistent Top Tens
On the home front Keogh recorded a win at the Ballivor GP, podiums at the Tommy Brady Memorial, Mondello Series Round 4 and Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar GP, plus Top-10s at the Seamus Kennedy Memorial (5th), Dublin Wheelers Open (4th), Brian & Cora McNamara Memorial (9th) and Leinster Road Race Championships (5th), among other solid placings including 11th at the Seán Nolan Meath Grand Prix and 12th overall at Rás Mhaigh Eo.
Defending Leinster and Strong National Championship Showings
As defending Leinster Road Race champion, Keogh put in a valiant effort to retain his title in Clonard. He spent time away in a dangerous breakaway with Luke Smith and Jack Woods on the penultimate lap and stayed aggressive until the final kilometres before coming up just short in fifth.
Junior George Sevastopulo took the win with a late attack.
At the National Championships in Mayo, Keogh produced a monumental ride to drop back from the early morning break to bridge his teammate Conn McDunphy across to the head of the race. McDunphy went on to finish fourth, narrowly missing a medal, while Keogh placed 20th himself.
Earlier in the week he finished a solid seventh in the elite men’s individual time trial.
International Outings and Season Overview
Keogh gained further international experience at the Lloyds Tour of Britain, racing the opening stages before a DNF on stage 4. He also lined up at events including the Tour of the Gila (19th in the points classification), Tour of Antalya, Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, Volta a Portugal and Tour of Romania.
Racing for the UCI Continental APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery squad after previous seasons with Team Skyline, Keogh covered thousands of kilometres in a campaign defined more by teamwork and consistency than individual victories. Riding long steady tempo not conducive to personal success.
His ability to support leaders like McDunphy while remaining competitive himself has cemented his place among Ireland’s Top 20 domestic performers for 2026.
This is the first in a planned series of 20 articles highlighting the riders who finished inside the 2026 C1 top 20.
