Five Irish riders join an international mix of youth and experience to make up the An Post-Chainreaction team for next year. Ryan Mullen will wear the national champion's jersey with the men in green (Photo: Kevin Monaghan)
Having featured five Irish riders in its line-up this year, the An Post-Chainreaction team will once again have some real strong Irish men in 2015 it has emerged.
Sean Downey, Ryan Mullen, Conor Dunne and Jack Wilson have all agreed terms that will see them come back for more next year.
And while Derry’s Marcus Christie departs the team for a new lease of life with a US squad, Cork’s Eoin McCarthy has been drafted into the line up.
While Dunne, Downey and Wilson were expected to re-sign, having all progressed significantly in their time to date with the squad; there was speculation about the future of 20-year-old Mullen.
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He finished second in the U23 time trial at the World Road Championships in Spain in September, a result that many felt would secure for him a place in a bigger outfit at ProContinental or even WorldTour level.
However, Mullen has been afforded time by An Post-Chainreaction to continue to develop as a track and time trial rider over the past year while getting much stronger road racing.
Sean Downey was on another level this year and one feels he has some very big wins in his legs still to come.
And it appears the team agreeing to facilitate him again in that regard next year was enough to keep him in the fold.
The winner of the elite road race crown and national U23 time trial title in 2014, Mullen also took 7th in the time trial at the Tour of Britain at the end of a very testing week against some of the biggest names in the sport.
“I’m really happy to stay with An Post,” he said today when news of the team’s shape for next year emerged.
“It’s been a great year for me and that’s down to the experience I’m getting with the team and the guidance from Kurt,” he added in reference to manager Kurt Bogaerts.
“I’m really keen to further progress my development on the road and the team’s programme is perfect for this.
“So I’m really looking forward to just getting started again.”
For Downey, who finished second to Mullen in the elite road race at the national championships this year, 2015 will bring a split focus on track and road.
Big gun: Conor Dunne will be back, this time starting the season with 12 months of experience at Continental level (www.blackumbrellaphotography.com)
He has agreed to take a place within the national track set-up run by Cycling Ireland as the best riders work towards qualifying for the Rio Olympics the year after next.
Downey finished top Irish rider at this year’s Rás and team manager Bogaerts said of him: “A split focus on the track (next) year for Sean will only benefit his road racing and improve his top speed”.
Wilson finished fourth overall and second in the youth classification at Kreiz Breiz Elites (UCI 2.2) in France this year and will look to build on that next season.
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Dunne is a really strong rider who is very good against the clock and has won a stage and worn the yellow jersey in the Rás.
He too rode very strongly at Kreiz Breiz Elites and with a year now under his belt at Continental level he has the ability to progress much further.
McCarthy will look to learn as much as he can and settle into the team as quickly as possible with a view to progressing the way the others have in recent years.
Eoin McCarthy is new to the set-up and given his youth and progress to date, he can benefit hugely from what is a fantastic opportunity.
For Mullen, the U23 time trial world title will again be a focus next year but he is so talented that medalling on the track at the Olympics is a real possibility.
Aside from the Irish signings, former Orica-GreenEDGE rider Aidis Kruopis (28) of Lithuanian is the standout new arrival and will bring considerable experience to a young An Post-Chainreaction team.
Kruopis will be joined by compatriot and national road champion Paulius Siskevicius (21) who has also signed.
Belgian rider Xandro Meurisse (22) joins from Lotto-Belisol, where he was a stagiaire.
He will link up with compatriots Alexander Maes and Jens Vandenbogaerde, who also make the switch.
Britain’s Alistair Slater, who finished third in the youth classification at this year’s An Post Rás, is another youngster who will debut with the team early next year.
Aidis Kruopis of Lithuanian joins the team from WorldTour squad Orica GreenEDGE (Photo: Sirotti)
Bogaerts has also secured the signing of eighteen year-old Australian Jordan Stannus who has penned a two-year deal.
The team have also retained the services of Kiwi former omnium world champion Aaron Gate for another year.
Bogaerts is excited the season ahead and believes the team has a nice mix of talent and experience.
“I think the squad we have assembled is one of the strongest I’ve ever had,” he said.
“We have real talent in depth and all the riders have a really good attitude. It’s a massive boost to our team to be able to say we are keeping hold of Ryan (Mullen).
“He’s an incredible talent and no doubt he had a lot of options out there but we are delighted he has decided to stay with us.
“Keeping world class athletes like him and Aaron Gate and then bringing in Aidis (Kruopis), who has huge experience, is great for the team and for the other riders.
“I’m really looking forward to getting everyone together at the training camps and working hard for the season ahead.”
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