An early season illness was to stalk Jack Sadler throughout 2014, but the former junior international is now ready and willing having signed for the Belgian Continental 3M team (Photo - Larry Hickmott - VeloUk.net)
By Brian Canty
Jack Sadler is the second Irish rider to be confirmed a 3M rider recent weeks, joining Belfast man Connor McConvey in the Belgium-based Continental squad for 2015.
It’s a great move for Sadler who endured a tough season this year with the UK-based Rapha Condor JLT team.
The former Junior Tour of Ireland stage winner was sick for much of the year and as a result could not perform anywhere near his best.
Now going into his second year as an U23 rider, he is bursting with enthusiasm having been declared fit and healthy.
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“This year has been a really tough year for me,” he said.
“We were in Australia early in the year for racing and training with Rapha and I fell ill there.
“And really my whole season suffered. I was written off the bike by the team doctor.
“And I had to go through several months of private testing, funded by myself and my family.
“All results came through normal but the consultant’s finger pointed to a viral infection.
“So I’m very relieved to have 2014 in the rear view mirror now; to draw a line under it.
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“And I’ll take the lessons I’ve learnt this year forward with me for the years to come,” he added.
Taking a stage of the Junior Tour as a first year junior, Sadler would triumph again the following year. He should be able to use his sprint well when he finds his legs in the pro peloton; a process that takes time even for the very best (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile)
He feels his new 3M team is one of the best Continental outfits based in Belgium and says he’s determined to progress there.
“It focuses on developing young riders,” he said.
“Their professional set-up and the focus on rider progression is what attracted me the most. The team’s motto is 'making progress possible'.”
Sadler doesn’t know what races he’ll be doing yet, but he’s not afraid to state a few big goals.
“The team have an incredible programme; some great Belgian classics like Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.
"We’ll also be doing races like the Tour of Britain and the An Post Rás.
"I’m targeting a stage win at the Rás next year and I’m also looking to get selected for Ireland for the European and world U23 road race championships.
“And as well as the road I’d love to focus on a position in the U23 national track team as well.”
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