David McCarthy (in blue, front) had a solid season with NRPT-Standard Life in 2013 and is looking to progress further racing at home and then France in the coming season (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)
David McCarthy has said he is hopeful his move to France next year will help him continue to progress as a bike rider while still being able to ride many of the big races on the Irish calendar.
The teenager from Fermoy, Co Cork, spent this season riding with Nicolas Roche Performance Team-Standard Life and will progress from the junior ranks into the U23 peloton in 2014.
He plans to race at home for some of the year and will remain with NRPT for those events. However, the team has just reached a new agreement with French team AC Bisontine which will see McCarthy and NRPT team mate Danny Bruton spending much of their first year at U23 level racing in France.
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The team counted Philip Lavery on its roster this year. The move to France went very well for the Dubliner, bringing him a string of good wins that resulted in a trial at the end of the season with French pro team Cofidis.
Bruton and McCarthy will be hoping they can settle in just as well into their new surroundings.
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“I'm hoping to do all the big races like Rás Mumhan, the Des Hanlon, Shay Elliot and hopefully the Rás,” McCarthy told stickybottle of his planned early portion of next year in Ireland.
“If everything's going to plan after that then I’ll head to France. I’ll maybe go over a little bit earlier in the season; it really on depends on when the team wants me to travel.”
McCarthy said he felt he had gained a lot riding for NRPT this year under the guidance of team principal Philip Finnegan, filling a mostly support role. He feels he still has plenty of progression ahead of him and is seeking to develop as much as he can as a bike rider to secure results of his own in the years ahead.
“I'm really excited about going to France but nervous at the same time,” he said of the imminent move into full time racing abroad.
“It’s such a big step up because the racing’s different and you don't know what to expect. Also, living abroad and fending for myself will obviously be a big step up too. I want to become a better rider and learn as much as I can from every race; to take every race at a time and develop on and off the bike.”
He described joining NRPT-Standard Life for its maiden season this year as the best thing that has happened in his career so far.
“It gave me great opportunities and I've learned so much from it. It was just such a professional set up for a junior team in our first year. I'd advise any Irish junior to apply for it this year as I couldn't fault it in any way.”
“It's been a great year with the team and I want to thank Philip Finnegan for everything; all the hard work he's put in. And I want to thank all the sponsors and staff who helped me this year and I'm looking forward to racing with the team next year as well as AC Bisontine.”
Best of luck to him from all of us here at stickybottle.
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