Daire Feeley, who has been dominant on the domestic road racing scene in recent years, is moving back up to UCI Continental level with EvoPro Racing.
The Roscommon rider competed in the colours of EvoPro in 2019, riding very well, before moving back home to Ireland. He has raced with All human-VeloRevolution for the last two years, taking multiple wins.
Feeley was top ranked A1 rider in the Cycling Ireland rankings last year and in 2020 and also won the National Road Series last season.
He also placed 2nd in the men's road race at the National Road Championships, where he was just beaten to gold by WorldTour man Ryan Mullen, then of Trek-Segafredo.
"I am delighted to be able to make a return to the highest level of racing with a team of friends," Feeley said of the move back to his old team, which comes at a time of exciting change of the Irish outfit.
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"The past two years when I was away from the team I have seen a major turning point in my performance both mentally and physically. EvoPro are providing me with an opportunity that will allow me to excel both on and off the bike.
"The team will have a high performance focus while allowing riders to pursue other areas of interest off the bike both of which are vital for the development of a rider. Cycling can be a selective sport by nature and having the opportunity to pursue other interests while racing at the highest level will only contribute high performance both on and off the bike."
Feeley joins the team as it is just entering into an agreement with Cycling Ireland. The project aims to create a pathway to European pro racing for young Irish riders who are showing potential.
As part of that deal, the team has now signed no fewer than 10 Irish riders for next year - Feeley, Tom Moriarty, Cian Keogh, Mitchell McLaughlin, Conor McCann, Conn McDunphy, Fintan Ryan, JB Murphy, Liam Curley and Sean Nolan.
Another part of the deal will see national teams using EvoPro Racing’s vehicles, service course and other resources when they are riding for Ireland. Furthermore, Irish riders who are not signed by the team for next year can still be selected to use its base in Belgium for racing and training purposes and may also be called into the team for some races later in the season.
News of the deal came after stickybottle interviewed EvoPro Racing co-founder Morgan Fox, who was very critical of the lack of interest Cycling Ireland showed in the team. In his interview – which you can read by following this link – Fox said he felt his team had a lot to offer the Irish cycling scene and yet it was being overlooked by Cycling Ireland.
