The An Post-Chainreaction team has seen the departure of two strong Irish men in the shape of Sam Bennett and Ronan McLaughlin. But the team launch in Belgium today reveals a quality line-up where the Irish are the dominant nationality. Jack Wilson, seen here winning the U23 National Championships last year, is among five very good Irish riders unveiled today (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)
Having switched its registration from Belgium to Ireland for the 2014 season, the An Post-Chainreaction line-up unveiled today has a distinctly new feel to it with English-speaking riders now significantly in the majority.
The squad, owned by former cycling great Sean Kelly, has not only beefed up its Irish contingent by bringing in some of the best young Irish talent in the sport, but has also signed new athletes from the UK and Australia.
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Those new additions mean of the 16 riders in the team for this year, just four are from non English-speaking countries; three Belgians and a Dutchman.
A major change in the team’s composition has been the drop in the number of Belgian riders since last year. While they filled eight of 17 berths in 2013, there are now just three Belgians on board.
The 2014 team is being officially launched in Belgium today, having already been in action for several weeks of the new European campaign.
Perhaps the biggest development in the off season from an Irish perspective was the signing of Conor Dunne, Marcus Christie and Ryan Mullen. They join Jack Wilson and Sean Downey, now starting their second and third seasons with the team respectively.
It was rides like this that secured for Conor Dunne a place with Sean Kelly's outfit this year; seen here winning the first stage and first yellow jersey of last year's Rás (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)
But as Christie, Mullen and Dunne have come in, others have left.
Sam Bennett has progressed to NetApp-Endura while Ronan McLaughlin has called time on his European odyssey and rides at home in Ireland with the Dig Deep-Inspiration team this year.
As well as more Irish men coming into the set-up, the UK contingent has also been increased.
The only two Britons in the squad last year, Kieran Frend and Mark McNally are both back and are joined this time around by compatriot Owain Doull.
The men from the Antipodes have also seen their number increase with Australian Glen O’Shea being joined by the very promising Irish-born Australian international Robert Jon McCarthy. Kiwis Aaron Gate and Shane Archbold are both returning.
Only two of last year’s eight Belgians are back – Laurent Vanden Bak and Wout Franssen. They are joined by Kevin Claeys who has ridden for the team in the past. In addition, Dutchman Bobby Traksel joins from the now defunct Champion System Pro Continental team.
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Sean Downey in action in the Chris Hoy Velodrome in recent weeks. He has the Commonwealth Games to aim for this year as well as his goals with his trade team. And having represented Ireland in the time trial and road race at U23 World Championships in the past and won a team pursuit bronze medal at the Games in India four years ago, he's a man who can do it all.
All of the Irish riders in the squad have already been in action in recent weeks. Highlights have included Mullen, Christie, Downey and Wilson riding the Etoile de Bessege stage race in France. Christie made the winning move on the opening stage, finished sixth on the day and went on to briefly take the lead in the young riders’ classification the following day.
Mullen has also just wrapped up the World Track Championships where he was 4th in the individual pursuit; a huge ride for a 19-year-old in his first elite worlds.
However, while he and Christie have already started well, Dunne and Wilson also look in good shape.
Downey has not raced as much thus far, but is perhaps the dark horse of the group. He rode a one-day race in Slovenia last weekend and last Sunday competed in the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne Belgian classic; posting what looked like very solid performances in both.
Ryan Mullen was 7th last year in the U23 TT at the World Road Championships in his first year out of the juniors. Seen here last week on his way to 4th at the World Track Championships in Colombia, his first elite Worlds (Photo: Guy Swarbrick)
Team manager Kurt Bogaerts said that after enjoying its most successful year last year, the men in green were hoping for more in the season ahead.
“We achieved really strong results at the big races such as the Tour of Britain and the An Post Rás,” he said of 2013.
“However, that season is over now and we need to carry that good form in to this campaign. We have lost some experienced riders in Sam, Ronan and Niko (Eeckhout). But we have brought on board some really exciting talent in the shape of Ryan, Conor and Marcus.
“We also have Niko now as a full-time coach and he is making a real difference to the riders. So I think the overall balance to the team is good and I am very excited about what the season will bring.”
While the team rarely races in Ireland, Sean Kelly said the jewel in the crown of the domestic scene would be a priority again this year.
“The Rás is a major target for us every year,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic race and one the riders love being a part of. There’s no race like it around so for any rider to be involved is a great experience.”
The coming season is the team’s eight, with An Post having been involved for all but the first of those campaigns.
Motorbike: Marcus Christie has started well with An Post-Chainreaction. Last month he held the young rider classification leader's jersey in the Etoile de Bessege stage race in France.
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