With few opportunities in Ireland to get into a nationally supported programme where foreign racing and training trips would be funded, Dublin rider Darragh Zaidan is turning to crowd funding to help make his Olympic dream become reality.
Former Irish junior international, Darragh Zaidan has launched an online appeal for funding in the hope members of the public, especially those within the cycling community, will help him raise the cash he needs to race abroad and develop as a rider.
Dubliner Zaidan raced last year and in 2012 in France. Competing in the colours of VCC Morteau in 2012, he progressed significantly and last year moved up a division when he secured a place with UC Aubenas in the south of France.
However, a number of bad crashes sidelined him for most of the season and his recovery continued into the first months of this year, so serious were his injuries.
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More recently, he has based himself back in Ireland and has put particular emphasis on the track, which he plans to continue to focus on in the years ahead. He won three bronze medals at the elite national track championships; in the team pursuit, individual pursuit and scratch race.
Currently an U23 rider and racing with Adamstown Cycling Team, Zaidan is hopeful of first breaking into the national set-up on the track, with the ultimate long term aim of making it to the Olympic Games.
But in order to make that kind of progress, he needs regular exposure to international racing which will cost money.
Riding in the green of Ireland while still a junior; Zaidan wants that green jersey again and this time on the track (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile)
In a bid to tap into the goodwill of people who want to see young Irish riders progressing and who may be willing to make a donation to his cause, he has set up his own page on the GoFundMe website.
“It enables users to raise money for major life events like celebrations and graduations to challenging circumstances like accidents and illnesses,” he told stickybottle of his novel approach.
“Once the page is created, GoFundMe allows users to share their project with people through Facebook, Twitter and email. People can then donate to a user’s cause through the page and track the progress of their funding.”
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Most riders in Zaidan’s position and with his ambitions have gone down the route of gaining selection on the national team and been supported in their international training and racing by Cycling Ireland; or not succeeding in that regard and giving up on their dreams.
With opportunities via Cycling Ireland very limited in the current climate, Zaidan has decided to take the initiative and try to carve out his own route.
His aim is to raise money to start funding some international trips to chase the results he needs to become part of Cycling Ireland’s plans long term.
“I’m hoping to carry out a full programme of international track racing across Europe this winter and beyond,” he said.
“I’ll use this winter to gain experience and hopefully earn results to build towards getting on the elite national track squad with long-term goals of qualifying for European and World Championships and ultimately the Olympics.
“I’ve two races planned so far; the Newport GP in Wales next month and the Vienna GP in Austria in November. Next year I hope to compete at the majority of the international GP’s in Europe to earn qualification points towards World Cups and European and World Championships.”
Zaidan said he knew his plans were ambitious but felt people who knew him in the sport would vouch for his dedication. He believed if he secured enough support he could achieve his goals.
“I work hard, I’m dedicated and I dream big,” he said.
Those wishing to support him can do so by clicking here.
Zaidan on a racing trip home from France in 2012; the rider on the far left in the same team jersey is Sean Hambrook. From New Zealand, he was riding with Zaidan in France and came to Ireland with him to ride Rás Dhun na nGall. Hambrook has since gone on to ride for Sojasun.
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