Having endured a tough year with An Post-Chainreaction, the United States beckons for Marcus Christie; a scene where he believes his ability against the watch can be instrumental.
Marcus Christie has spoken of his relief at getting snapped up by the American-based Bissell-ABG-Giant team for 2015.
Based in the city of Indianapolis three hours south of Chicago, the 23-year-old Derry man will have a packed schedule of racing.
And he believes many of the races his team has pencilled in will suit him.
A very talented rider against the clock, Christie rode the U23 World TT Championships in Florence last year and is the current national 50 and 100 mile TT record holder.
He believes his time trialling ability can be instrumental across the Atlantic.
“The move is a dream for me,” he told stickybottle.
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In the breakaway riding for An Post-Chainreaction at Etoile de Besseges; it was a great ride but was as good as it got for him in Europe this year.
“I didn’t know much about the racing scene in the US but when I saw the team do a lot of stage races where the GC is mostly decided by the time-trial I was very excited.”
The move came about when one of the team’s directeur sportifs, Irishman Declan Doyle, contacted Christie.
“Declan moved to America 15 years ago and became heavily involved with cycling there.
"He contacted me first and we talked a bit and the programme sounded good.
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"It’s a huge relief for me. I was facing the prospect of focussing my season around the An Post Rás, racing in Ireland for Caldwell Cycles, doing the Nationals and hoping for the best.
Some great results against the watch at home kept Christie on track this year and secure selection for the Commonwealth Games (Photo: Toby Watson)
"Now, with this, I’m going to target the races the team plan on doing but the key objective for me next year is the national time trial championships.
“And I’ll be hoping for a place on the Irish team for the World Championships in Richmond. That would be a dream for me.”
For now, he’s focussed on keeping his head down working hard.
“I’m back training already for next year.
“I’m not sure yet when I’ll be going out but after Christmas some time.
“I feel very lucky to be in this position and I’ll be putting everything into this now.”
Riding for Ireland in the U23 time trial at the World Championships last year; Christie already has an eye on Richmond next year (Photo: Sean Rowe)
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