Racing in Belgium this season; a new pro deal sees Stephen Clancy set to switch from the US to the European circuit next year (Photo: Martine Verfaillie)
By Brian Canty
Stephen Clancy will continue his career with Team Novo Nordisk after being retained by the US-based Pro Continental outfit for 2015.
The 22-year-old Limerick man has already been with the squad for two years.
And on the back of a solid season in 2014 where he showed big improvement from his maiden year, he has been kept on and is now bound for the European circuit.
Formerly of Limerick CC, he concluded his campaign last week at the Tour of Hainan, where he managed to escape in a break on the final day.
He is already preparing for next year, as the team has convened in Mexico for its first training camp.
Advertisement
He said he was thrilled to have been rewarded with a new deal and was looking forward to more improvement in 2015.
An U23 international, Clancy will be hoping continued development will secure more outings in the green jersey.
“I’m delighted to be part of this team, so it’s nice to know I’ll still be on board next year," he told stickybottle.
“Cycling is definitely something I want to continue into the future if possible.
“I think for any cyclist; around this time of year, waiting for a contract for next year is always going to bring a bit of uncertainty.
"I was pleased with my progress and performances over the past two seasons, and I think the team seemed to be satisfied.
"Hopefully I can continue to show my potential and improve next year and beyond.”
He added the knowledge he had secured a place in the pro bunch for next year meant he could now focus on preparing over the winter stress-free.
Related News
While Clancy has ridden very hard races around the world from a US base over the last two seasons, a move to a European base will bring increased demands.
Because he continued to race right up until the end of October and his team organised a training camp so soon means he had just 20 hours back in Ireland between travelling home from China and leaving for Mexico.
However, while the squad is clearly keen to crack on and continue to progress its riders, Clancy’s schedule for next year is not yet set.
“It’s still early days yet and the racing schedule has to be finalised along with the rosters for each race,” he said.
"It looks like I could be based in Europe year round as opposed to the stints I’ve spent in the US the last two seasons.”
Having been diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, Clancy said riding for a team with a racing staff comprised entirely of diabetics was something he was enjoying.
Riding in the winning breakaway at the national championships in June, second from left (Photo: George Doyle)
He believed the team’s unique make up was an inspiration to those with the condition around the world.
Now at the end of a very long season, Clancy started his 2014 campaign way back in February.
He rode a number of one-day races in Spain before completing the tours of Taiwan, Azerbaijan, Korea, Denmark and Hainan, through the year.
In between those main stage races he competed in places like Italy, France, Kazakhstan, Canada and Ireland.
At home he rode the national championships in June, making the winning escape before finishing 16th.
Topics
