Mark Dowling was one of five Irish riders who looked set to be part of a fine Continental level set-up for 2016 but the Dynamo Cover squad they had signed for has folded before the new season has even began.
By Brian Canty
It has emerged the planned UCI Continental level Dynamo Cover Racing Team that looked so promising for Irish riders last month has folded.
The team, which had agreed contracts with Mark Dowling, Ryan Reilly, Mark and Sean Downey and Philip Lavery, will not race in 2016, according to comments from some of the parties involved.
All 16 riders on the roster are now left scrambling for places in other squads.
It is believed more sponsors had been sought to back the team and though riders were given assurances all was in order, this was not the case.
Advertisement
On their Twitter page this evening, Friday, Dynamo Cover UK said the "sponsor agent responsible for negotiating our sponsorship of the team had legal action brought against them..."
A further tweet said: "We are exploring all options at this time - but the crucial part is the sponsor agent which we can't control."
Exact details of what happened are still unclear but for the riders and staff it is a devastating blow.
Some riders in the team had passed up the opportunity to take up full-time employment in their home countries.
For the five Irishmen lined up to don the team’s colours next year it looked like a golden opportunity to race an excellent programme while earning in the region of £25,000.
Philip Lavery was to return to the sport and ride for Dynamo Cover but now his plans are unclear.
Related News
The project began life as a UK team; one backed by a British title sponsor in the Dynamo Cover insurance company.
However, it was informed by British Cycling it needed nine British riders to register there. And having already signed a number of Irishmen it decided to register in Ireland instead.
Some of those who work on the Be-Celt French sports website and who have placed many Irish riders in French teams in recent seasons were also involved.
A statement on the site said the team would not go ahead. It also suggested legal action may arise from the circumstances that have led to the team’s demise.
We are exploring all options at this time - but the crucial part is the Sponsor Agent which we can't control https://t.co/BzDCbng6zv
— Dynamo Cover (@DynamoCoverUK) December 4, 2015
The team was to be managed by the Breton Yann Dejan, a past manager of Team Geumsan Chrono in Asia.
He was going to be assisted by former French pro Benoit Salmon, who was the best young rider in the 1999 Tour de France and who has been working with VC La Pomme Marseille, plus Sébastien Duclos. The latter has been running the Attack Gusto Cycling Team in Asia.
Former pros Joel Pelier and Bruno Cornillet were also to have an input, as was Stephen Roche on a mentoring level.
Dynamo Cover focuses on insurance products for cycling. It was founded two years ago by Alex Mills, a former candidate on the BBC show The Apprentice.
More on this as we get it.
Topics
