Belfast's Connor McConvey has been with the Azerbaijan-backed Synergy Baku squad for the past two seasons, but he's heading back to base himself in Belgium after signing a new pro deal (Photo: George Doyle)
Having ridden for the Azerbaijan-backed Synergy Baku squad since its inception two years ago, Belfast man Connor McConvey has left that set-up in favour of Team 3M.
His new squad, like the one he departs, is a Continental level outfit.
It is Belgian-based and will follow a European racing programme quite similar to the one McConvey raced when he was a member of the An Post-Chainreaction team.
McConvey signed for An Post in 2010 aged 22 years. He rode very strongly in his debut season on the European circuit and took 4th overall and the best young rider classification in the Rás.
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However, he had a difficult time with injury and illness after the Rás that year and when the season ended he decided to take an indefinite break from full time road racing.
Mid way through the following season he had a change of heart and was re-signed by An Post for the remainder of 2011.
He rode with the squad again in 2012, when he was 7th overall in the Rás.
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McConvey in the colours of An Post-Chainreaction leading the Rás up Mamore Gap in Donegal three years ago (Photo by Sportsfile)
He then moved to Synergy Baku and had a strong year in 2013; taking 2nd overall in the Rás, 5th overall in the Tour of China, 10th overall in the Tour of Estonia and victory in the mountains classification in the Tour of Azerbaijan.
However, he fractured his pelvis in a fall at the Oberösterreichrundfahrt Tour in Austria in the latter part of 2013.
His results this year were below what he is capable of, with 3rd in the time trial stage of the Mzansi Tour (UCI 2.2) in South Africa in April his only result to speak of.
His departure from Synergy Baku means Irish interest in the team is diminished.
The squad is run by Wicklow man David McQuaid and boasts one of Ireland's best ever riders David McCann on the management staff.
Also on the rider roster this year with McConvey were former Irish national elite road champion Matt Brammeier and former U23 Irish champion Philip Lavery.
However, it is unclear if Brammeier and Lavery will be with the squad next year.
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