The move should see Irish cyclist Mark O’Callaghan move up a gear with his racing. The next step would be for him to become a regular on the Irish U23 team (Photo: John Coleman)

Irish cyclist Mark O'Callaghan for Italy next year

Having enjoyed his best season yet on the home scene, Aqua Blue Academy rider Mark O’Callaghan is set to race abroad next season.

Still only 20-years-old, Limerick man O’Callaghan is currently in college doing a Financial Maths degree.

But he will take time out from the academic life to take his chances in Italy next year. The challenge will be to continue, and hopefully accelerate, his progress.

All going well, the move should see O’Callaghan move up a gear with his racing. And the next step for him would be to become a regular on the Irish U23 team.

He will be based in Venice for all of next season with the US Fausto Coppi Gazzera team.

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It is an established outfit with a rich history since 1960. And it is currently managed by Fiorenzo Favero; a former pro rider with multiple Giros under his belt as a rider from the late 1970s to mid 1980s.

The move was arranged with the help of Matteo Cigala; a leading coach and Cycling Ireland’s top ranked A1 rider this year.

“Mark has been my teammate now for the past two years and we are really good friends,” Cigala said.

“So I’m delighted that myself and Cigala Cycling were able to find this great opportunity.

“He had a great 2017 and he deserves the best for his development. He is at the right age and has the capabilities.

“There is no better place than Italy and the Veneto region for his 2018.

“Mark will be heading to Italy in January and will start to race on the last Saturday of February.”

O’Callaghan has really progressed well in the last few seasons; first with Limerick CC and more recently with Aqua Blue Academy.

He won several races this year, including the Mullingar GP, Barrow Wheelers GP, Kilmessan GP and Drumm Cup.

O’Callaghan was on the podium nine times this season in total. We’ll have an interview with the man himself in the next day or two.