Aqua Blue Sport was denied a tilt at stage victory on the final day of the Tour of Oman. But that disappointing end does not disguise the fact the team can take plenty from the last week.
Daniel Pearson underlines potential for Aqua Blue Sport
The Tour of Oman ended in frustrating circumstances for Aqua Blue Sport. But when that disappointment fades, the Irish squad has one big positive to take from the race; Dan Pearson.
Aged just 23 years old, the British cyclist began his time in the pro peloton with Team Wiggins.
He rode with the British Continental level team in 2015 and 2016. He stepped up to ProConti last year with Aqua Blue Sport.
And with a year of harder racing under his belt, it appears he is beginning to come through for the Irish squad.
His 11th place over at the Tour of Oman might not jump of the page. But the manner he achieved it was impressive.
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On the summit finish penultimate stage up Green Mountain, Pearson earned his corn.
Miguel Angel Lopez and Alexey Lutsenko of Astana rode away for stage victory and the race lead respectively. Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) claimed 3rd just 12 seconds back and was 4th overall.
Gorka Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) placed 4th on the stage, three seconds later, and was 4th overall.
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Next came Nathan Haas (Katusha-Alpecin); the winner of the opening stage of the race and points classification victor.
Peter Stetina (Trek-Segafredo) was next and then Pearson; in 7th place and 33 seconds behind the winner.
He placed 11th on the stage last year, just over one minute down on winner Ben Hermans. And that meant Daniel Pearson would finish 15th overall in the race.
But his result this time around in Oman was much better. It was also his career-best performance.
And his comments after riding so well on the stage also suggest he is not overawed in the company he was climbing in.
“The group went really hard on the bottom and there was a selection made of twenty guys," he said.
"It was just a question of riding my own race and not going too deep and make it a measured effort to the top.
"Lopez rode off with a couple of teammates. And I was in a little group with (Vincenzo) Nibali, (Rui) Costa and some other strong riders.
"They were all looking at each other. So I just decided to hit them really about two kilometres to go.
"I rode my pace to the top and came in seventh. I’m pretty happy with the result. It’s definitely a step up from last year."
Daniel Pearson also praised his team's efforts for him, both before the Green Mountain climb and on today's final stage.
And if he can continue the progression he seems to have banked over the last 12 months he can achieve big things for himself and the team.
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