The kit is new and looks great and with the riders the new squad has they should do very serious damage and win big from one end of the season to the next.
When the 2019 road racing season begins this weekend, the Irish bunch will feature new team colours in the shape of Team Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo.
Assembled under two very experienced management figures in Tim Barry and Frankie Campbell, the team’s roster is impressive.
It is comprised mainly of the Viner-Caremark-Pactimo team from last season. Indeed, that outfit from 2018 has morphed into the new line-up.
Pactimo sporting and cycling apparel remains as a sponsor. The Dan Morrissey Quarry Group takes up a prominent role in the team’s backing; as it has so often done in Irish cycling over many years.
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And the McCarthy Insurance Group has been added as a new backer this year; welcome news in what are mixed financial times for cycling.
The commercial side of the team aside, one of the eye-catching aspects of this squad is the addition of Sean McKenna.
He had dished out the hurt at home for a number of seasons, winning some of the biggest Irish races, before moving to Continental level.
McKenna rode for the latter part of the 2016 season with An Post-Chainreaction as well as the entire 2017 campaign.
And when that team ceased due to loss of sponsors, he moved to the new Holdsworth Pro Racing team based out of Yorkshire.
In that team’s colours he claimed a coveted stage of Rás Tailteann last year. And in the colours of Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo he can win big in the year ahead.
But the team’s firepower doesn’t stop with McKenna. Conor Hennebry is also in the line-up for the coming season.
He claimed 12 victories last year, including Kerry Group Rás Mumhan. Furthermore, he won the National Road Series and was top ranked A1 by year end.
Hennebry is another who spent a year with An Post-Chainreaction and he is expected to make a significant mark again this year.
Another of the An Post alma mater, Ronan McLaughlin, is also in the team. And he enjoyed arguably his most successful year last season.
He took one of the hardest races of the year on a stage of the Tour of Ulster and followed it up with Shay Elliott victory.
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The team also has a host of others who can win big this year; Craig Rea and Sean Hahessy two huge engines.
Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo has also secured the services of Ryan Reilly and James Curry, both of whom raced in France last season.
Multiple road, track and TT Irish champion Greg Swinand is also in the team; the Masters rider showing absolutely no sign of slowing.
And in Anthony Walsh, Matthew Sparrow, John Horgan, Keith Fox and Paul O’Reilly, the team has a further five men who can do serious damage and win races.
Horgan is one of the most experienced riders in the Irish peloton. Walsh, who won a Rás Mumhan stage a couple of seasons ago, can still impose himself.
O’Reilly, Sparrow and Fox are also very strong and are three riders who are perhaps due a big win on the road in the year ahead.
The team is also supported POC Helmets, Honey Stinger energy products and Osmo Nutrition. Riders will wear the new POC Ventral Spin helmet for the 2019 campaign.
Honey stinger will supply the team with gluten-free energy waffles, organic energy chews, protein bars, healthy snacks, and energy gels.
Osmo Nutrition will keep the team hydrated and recovering as well as possible with hydration and recovery products using natural ingredients.
Sponsors looking to season ahead
Kevin Morrissey, director of Dan Morrissey Quarry Group, said: “We are delighted to continue our involvement and step up to title sponsor with the team in 2019.
Following on from the squad’s successes in 2018 it was a partnership we were keen to build upon. We also have been supporting our local club in Carlow in recent years.
“And this will continue in 2019 unaffected by our association with the team. We look forward to another successful year with both teams.”
Ronan McLaughlin, who will be riding for the team and whose Pactimo Custom Clothing Ireland company is a sponsor, said: “It is a privilege for Pactimo and I to be able to support the team for a second year.
“Pactimo will supply the team with all their technical and leisure wear needs. As a team we wanted to develop a brand and an image that stands out from the crowd.”
David McCarthy of McCarthy Insurance Group said: “McCarthy Insurance group is one of Ireland’s leading insurance brokers and so it was a natural fit to partner with Ireland’s leading cycling team in 2018.”
“As with the team itself and all our partners, MIG’s focus is on delivering quality and great value, not just results.”
Dan Morrissey-MIG.ie-Pactimo 2019
Anthony Walsh, Conor Hennebry, Matthew Sparrow, Craig Rea, Greg Swinand, James Curry, John Horgan, Keith Fox, Paul O’Reilly, Ronan McLaughlin, Ryan Reilly, Seán Hahessy, Sean McKenna.
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