First Irish pro cycling team launched today
Monday, 23 January 2006Irish cycling takes an important step forward with the launch of the Sean Kelly Racing Team in Dublin today.
The former world number one and Tour of Spain winner will act as team director for the squad, helping to guide young riders towards successful professional careers.
The team will be the first such UCI registered Continental-level racing team to come out of Ireland. It will be based in Belgium and will compete in professional and amateur events in Europe and further afield.
The Sean Kelly Racing Team will be predominantly comprised of Irish riders in 2006, although several Belgian riders will also compete in its colours. Seven Irish riders have been signed thus far, with three others to be taken on board later in the year.
Those already signed include the promising young Dubliner Tim Cassidy, who took a number of strong results in French pro-am races last year. He will be joined by FBD Insurance Rás stage winner Roger Aiken and Irish Under-23 champion Paídi O'Brien, both of whom were based at the Sean Kelly Academy in 2005.
Another who is returning is Ciarán Kelly, who won a number of high-level junior races last season in Belgium. The Irish contingent is completed by Eoin and Miceal Concannon plus Andrew McQuaid, son of UCI President Pat McQuaid.
The team is a result of ongoing collaboration between Kelly, Cycling Ireland and the Sean Kelly Cycling Academy in Merchtem, Belgium. The new squad will be based there in 2006.
