Rick Delaney is the man behind Ireland's first professional cycling team and he is hoping to put together a squad capable of challenging for some of the world's biggest races next year. The team said it has sent out 10 contracts to riders already.
By Brian Canty
The identities of the majority of the riders who will comprise Ireland’s first ever professional cycling team will be confirmed shortly after the new squad confirmed contracts were sent out to 10 riders.
Assuming all 10 accept the conditions of the contracts, that would leave the Aqua Blue Sport squad just looking for six more.
It is understood while only six more places need to be filled talks are ongoing with a number greater than this.
The team broke the news on Twitter that 10 riders were on board for next year.
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Exciting times here at Aqua Blue Sport with team contracts now sent out to 10 riders. Watch this space... #ProContinental #UCI #2017
— Aqua Blue Sport (@AquaBlueSport) September 21, 2016
The team is casting the net far and wide in searching for the best available talent and it is expected some of the riders and staff will be Irish, though there is no confirmation of that as of yet.
With teams like Tinkoff-Saxo and IAM Cycling set to fold at the end of the year it means there are many very good riders available.
The team has already said it will cap the roster at 16 and run a single race programme in its first season, meaning it will not do more than one race at any one time.
We'll bring you news of who the signings are as soon as we have it.
News that 10 riders have been sent out contracts comes just weeks after the team confirmed it had bought the luxury coach owned by IAM Cycling.
Progress on getting the outfit in shape and ready for the road in a matter of months is clearly continuing at a pace.
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