Mark Downey is headed for a team in France in the New Year. The 19 year-old joins a young squad with some of the most promising talent in France.
By Brian Canty
Mark Downey will ride for French team VC Toucy next year after signing a one-year deal with them on Wednesday.
The 19 year-old Banbridge CC rider will join the team in the New Year, linking up with some of the most promising young French riders at present.
The former national junior time-trial champion and European points race silver medallist was set to join the Dynamo Cover Pro Cycling team until that project folded in acrimonious circumstances the week before last.
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VC Toucy are a DN2 outfit based 160 kilometres south east of Paris.
They are a tier below the top level of amateur racing in France but will contest a very good programme of one-day events and stage races.
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“I’m very relieved to have something sorted for next year,” said Downey.
“It's been a stressful couple of weeks so it was very nice to get an offer from a good team with a good set up... I just want to look forward now.”
Downey has had a busy few months with track commitments keeping him in top condition throughout the winter.
He rode the opening round of the UCI World Cup in Cali last month.
But the team pursuit squad he is a part of did not travel to the most recent round in New Zealand, thus ending any hope of them qualifying for the Olympic Games next year.
Downey is currently with the track squad in Majorca as they continue preparations for the third and final round of the World Cup in Hong Kong in mid-January.
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