Mark Scanlon will compete in this year's Tour de France with the Ag2R Prevoyance team.
The Irish cyclist, ranked 115 in the world, will join two of his Ag2R team-mates, sprinter Jan Kersituu and former World Champion Lauren Brochard.
Ireland also entered the top 30 of cycling nations in the rankings. it gives Ireland two automatic places in both the World Championships and the Olympics.
