Aqua Blue Sport now has the US road race champion in its ranks, with Larry Warbasse claiming the title.

Aqua Blue Sport man Warbasse is US champion

Just two weeks after securing Irish team Aqua Blue Sport’s first pro win Larry Warbasse has become US champion.

The 26-year-old’s elite road race win is a massive achievement for the team in its first year and will bring very significant recognition for it.

Warbasse took a mountain stage of the Tour de Suisse the week before last; his first ever win as a pro.

And now he has followed it up with a dream win for himself and his ProContinental team in becoming US champion.

He won the race in Knoxville Tennessee in a three up sprint from Neilson Powless (Axeon Berman Hagens) and Alexey Vermeulen (LottoNL-Jumbo).

His victory came after team mate Conor Dunne won bronze in the Irish title race.

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Larry Warbasse and his Aqua Blue Sport-clad mother after his and the team's biggest day.

"I'm in disbelief. I think this has been the best two weeks of my life,” new US champion Warbasse told the media after his win.

"I had a really great race in Suisse a couple weeks ago. Yesterday, I felt pretty bad in the time trial, I was a bit disappointed," he added of his 5th place in the test.

“And I told some friends 'I guess I work well with disappointment, so hopefully tomorrow will be good’.

“Honestly I didn't feel good the whole day. At the start I was suffering – actually I was suffering the whole time.

“I don't think I was the strongest today but I think I was the smartest. I can't believe it, I'm so happy."

Captain America jersey on the way

Stephen Moore, team general manager, said the Irish outfit was delighted for him.

“This is an incredible victory,” he said. “Yet again hard work and dedication has rewarded Larry and Aqua Blue Sport with a fantastic victory.

He added the team would begin work immediately to produce his US champion’s jersey, the first national title the team has won.

“All of us are looking forward to seeing our very own Captain America on the roads of Europe.”