Killian O'Brien, one of Irish cycling's most exciting young climbing talents, is set to move from the junior ranks this year straight into an elite UCI Continental team for next season.
The Irish teenager has taken the unusual step for an Irish cyclist in signing for a Mexican team; one that will offer him access to pro races in Europe next year.
Crucially, he will also get a shot at riding some of the biggest U23 races in Europe - both one-day events and stage races - that are ridden by trade teams rather than national squads; a major bonus for O'Brien (18).
O'Brien won races in Italy this year, including Gp Madonna delle Grazie and La Due Giorni dell'Aglianico del Vulture - and also placed 3rd overall at the Junior Tour of Wales, as well as winning the National Hill Climb Championships.
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He has now signed for Mexican UCI Continental team Petrolike, which is currently preparing for its fourth season as a Continental squad.
The team was comprised this year of riders from Mexico and Colombia with one from Ecuador; Giro 2020 stage winner and former EF Education-EasyPost rider Jonathan Caicedo.
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O'Brien will get access to a lot of UCI-ranked one-day races in Italy including Trofeo Laigueglia (1.Pro), Giro dell'Appennino (1.1), Giro dell'Emilia (1.Pro), Coppa Agostoni - Giro delle Brianze (1.1) and U23 oner-day races such as GP Industria & Commercio, Trofeo Piva, GP Palio del Recioto and Giro del Belvedere.
The team has also competed in prestigious European U23 stage races including Ronde de l'Isard (2.2U) in France and perhaps the second most prestigious stage race for U23s in the world, Giro d'Italia Next Gen (2.2U).
This year the team also rode a lot of good quality pro stage races including Vuelta a Colombia (2.2), Istrian Spring Trophy (2.2) in Croatia, Coppi e Bartali (2.1) in Italy, Sibiu Cycling Tour (2.1) in Romania, Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta (2.1), Giro della Regione (2.2) and Valley of the Sun Stage Race in the US, among many others.
We'll have more on O'Brien's move shortly.
