McQuaid has worked in a host of countries in Asia and his latest project continues in that mode
David McQuaid, David McCann and former British national champion Jeremy Hunt have all said they are delighted with the development so far of their new UCI Continental team ‘Synergy Baku Cycling Project’ which will be based out of Azerbaijan.
McQuaid told stickybottle he had met the Azeri cycling federation at the World Championships in Holland last September, where the beginnings of the new team were discussed.
"The whole thing has happened pretty quickly after Valkenburg,” he said.
“I visited Baku in October and had Jeremy and David in place in November. We had the riders in place soon after and registration documents done and dusted at the beginning of December, so they are in the hands of the road department of the UCI.”
Advertisement
“I can’t wait to see the team listed on the Continental teams list for 2013 because it’s been a hard three months work. The Azerbaijan federation had the idea a year ago, but when we met they were insistent that we do it. They want an Azeri rider on the start line in Rio 2016. We decided to call the team a project because that’s what it is. It's to re-ignite cycling in Azerbaijan and produce some quality riders doing it."
McQuaid said some very good riders had come from Baku in the past, with Alexander Averin some 35 years ago having won the Peace Race and taken the points jersey in the Tour de L'ávenir.
“I’m Delighted to have Jeremy and David here for this. Both of them bring a wealth of experience and just like David, Jeremy wants to get into the coaching and development side of things following his long racing career. Jeremy will pay specific attention to the six Azeri riders and their race and training programme.”
McCann, one of the best riders Ireland has ever produced, has already been coaching some of the top riders in the country in recent years. He most recently rode for the RTS Racing UCI Continental team in Asia. In 2012 he was selected for both the Olympic Games and the World Championships, though had to surrender his place at the latter after he was hit by a car out training leading up to the event.
He said he’s very much looking forward to getting stuck into his new role.
"I couldn't really turn it down to be honest. This is what I like. And the developmental side apart, I’m really looking forward to racing on the UCI Asia Tour where the team will spend the first half of the season. I can lend my knowledge and experience there."
Related News
"I’m looking forward to working with our Danish rider Ebsen and our own Connor McConvey for GC, both are pure strong climbers. Langkawi could be interesting, as it's our first race as well."
McCann brings a wealth of riding and coaching experience to the team
Hunt sounded equally enthusiastic saying he had not expected to be back in the sport so soon after his recent retirement.
"A hands-on job doesn't scare me. It was myself that suggested we take the six Azeri riders to my base in Melbourne and train and test them, to make them suffer. We need to ultimately get them into the best shape of their cycling lives before the Tour de Azerbaijan at the start of May, which ultimately is a huge goal for the team"
"With David McQuaid, we met the national riders in Baku in November. The enthusiasm is there, the base is there; we just need to work hard now.”
Jeremy Hunt enjoyed a long and successful racing career and is relishing his new management role
Topics
