It appeared Aqua Blue Sport would end when the season concluded. But now team personnel believe it has already ridden its last race (Photo: Karen M Edwards)
Aqua Blue Sport may not race again after the team announced it was not seeking a ProContinental licence for next year.
A statement released by the team on Monday morning confirmed it would not continue in 2019.
It was assumed, though never stated in the team’s press release, that the squad would see out the current season.
However, stickybottle understands the team has ridden its last race; which would be very unfortunate and a really sudden end to the team.
It would mean its plans to ride the Tour of Britain, and any other late-season races, are shelved.
At the time of writing stickybottle had sought comment from the team in reaction to sources suggesting it had already ceased racing.
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Aqua Blue Sport had not yet replied to the request for comment.
But sources familiar with the workings of the team said staff and riders had been told Aqua Blue Sport did not plan to race again.
The same sources said riders and staff were told last night the team had already ridden its last race.
While the ceasing of the team, definitely for 2019 and it appears more immediately, is a huge blow for all the riders and staff, there is particular Irish interest.
Conor Dunne, who was crowned Irish road race champion in July, was expected to remain on with the team. And he will now need to put other plans in place.
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Dunne has proven a very popular rider during his time with the Irish ProContinental team.
He took his chance with both hands; constantly going on the attack. That racing style has raised his profile and, along with his Irish title, will hopefully secure him a deal in the peloton for next year.
He is a rider who has come a long way in a few short years. Now aged 26, his best years on the bike should still be ahead of him.
Eddie Dunbar is in his first year of a two-year deal with Aqua Blue Sport. The second year of that contract obviously cannot take place now.
However, stickybottle understands Dunbar (21) has had a number of other offers from bigger teams, including in the WorldTour.
He was expected to go to a larger squad for next year even before Monday morning’s announcement by Aqua Blue Sport confirming it was not continuing.
Dunbar moving on would have required the cooperation of Aqua Blue Sport; in allowing him out of his two-year deal with a year left to run.
But such arrangements are not unusual in pro cycling. Dunbar’s offers and his interest in taking up one of them means Aqua Blue Sport’s demise will not unduly effect him for next year.
However, he had been due to ride the Tour of Britain. And that race would have helped prepare him for the U23 road race at the World Championships next month.
If Aqua Blue Sport has ridden its last race, as several reliable sources have told stickybottle, Dunbar would face having no racing in the build-up to the Worlds.
It was unclear if he could put in place a stagiaire to enable him race again before the U23 world title race in Innsbruck four weeks on Friday.
The course is a hilly one and, having climbed exceptionally well at the Tour de l’Avenir, he would be a genuine contender at the Worlds.
Dunne was also due to ride the Tour of Britain and was likely to be selected for the elite Worlds.
He too faces a break from racing, of five weeks, in the build up to Innsbruck if as sources have suggested his team has ridden its last race.
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