Connor McConvey: Firmly back in the An Post-Sean Kelly fold
Irish representation among the ranks of the An Post-Sean Kelly team next season has been swelled with the news today, Thursday, that Ronan McLaughlin and Connor McConvey have re-signed for the Belgian-Irish outfit.
Both have penned new one-year deals and will join fellow countrymen Sam Bennett and new signing Sean Downey on the team next year.
The U23 road race and title trial champion duo of Bennett and Downey are currently in Belgium with team support staff undergoing physiological testing and new bike fits.
There is no word on plans for next year in relation to the other 2011 An Post-Sean Kelly Irish riders Mark Cassidy and Philip Lavery.
However, team manager Kurt Bogaerts said talks were continuing with a number of riders and that further re-signings were expected.
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Bogaerts today singled out McLaughlin, from Donegal, for praise, saying he had been instrumental in many of the team's biggest wins in 2011.
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“Ronan has continually progressed since he joined the team four years ago. Last year was his best season yet; he put in some great teamwork for Gediminas Bagdonas’ two stage race wins – the An Post Rás and the Tour de L’Oise - as well as being part of the team which helped Mark McNally win the Mi-Aout en Bretagne in France. He’s a really good team rider and I’m looking forward to him progressing again next season.”
Bogaerts added when Belfast man Connor McConvey decided to take a year out last year only to return this summer; the team had no hesitation in immediately taking him back into the fold.
“With McConvey, once we took him back in August it was always about 2012. When he returned I just wanted to ease him back into competitive cycling and really make sure he was enjoying himself. He did well and it was a big bonus to see him win the Suir Valley 3 Day. He’s got his confidence back and he’s still very young, so he’s another I expect to push on next year.”
Bogaerts has today also announced the signing of two new Belgian riders, Roy Jans and Stijn Ennekens.
“Roy is only 21 and has won a lot of junior races in Belgium. He wanted to finish his studies, which he has done, and he’s now committed to racing full time.”
“Stijn is a bit of a different signing as he’s making a comeback of sorts. He’s won a lot of races on the Belgium circuit, although he was never riding in a high quality team. He’ll have that now next season, so hopefully he will be another good addition.”
“I have some more riders that I would like to sign and a few that we are still negotiating about re-signing. It’s exciting times for us and because of last season’s results there are a lot of riders out there that want to be part of it.”
Last week the team announced the signing of Australian Scott Law and British rider Mark Christian; both national track champions who have represented their country. And on that occasion it also revealed it had signed two young Belgian riders; 19-year-old Joren Segers from Lommel and 20-year-old Niels Wytinck from Eeklo.
Ronan McLaughlin on the attack in the Tour of Britain 2011
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