The Nicolas Roche Performance Team has already proven a great springboard for young talent and is going into the new season more organised and better supported than ever. Above, Mark Downey wears the yellow jersey while riding with the team in the 2013 Junior Tour of Ireland.
The Nicolas Roche Performance Team has a completely new look this year, with a host of new riders, new sponsors and new kit.
The junior development set-up has secured a new bike deal with FUJI while Murphy & Gunn is providing them with a car for the season.
The title sponsors are Galway-based technology firm Magnet.ie. The developments continue the progress the team has made since its inception in 2012.
Manager Philip Finegan said he is excited about the season ahead.
“We were extremely lucky to get Magnet.ie as main sponsors,” he said.
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The Magnet.ie-Nicolas Roche Performance Team kit looks pretty slick.
“It’s good for them; their CEO is a guy called Mark Kellett and he’s big into cycling so we’re lucky we’ve a good match.
"We’re lucky too that we’ve had Velotec the last few years as a clothing sponsor and we got a contract directly with FUJI bikes too.
“As well as that we’ve Murphy & Gunn supporting us with a Hyundai and it’s great to see them back involved in the sport at the racing end of it.
“I know they had a leisure club but it was great to have Stephen Murphy back involved.
“So they’re our main backers along with a number of others who are providing equipment and what not.”
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The Magnet.ie-Nicolas Roche Performance Team will all be riding FUJI bikes for the coming season.
Finegan said he was very happy with the riders in the squad for this season, with the team made up of those who have already spent a year with the team and others coming in.
"We’ve three staying on from last year including Michael O’Loughlin," Finegan said in reference to the Carrick teenager who scored a top 10 in the junior time trial at the World Championships in Spain last September.
"Caimin Muldoon is also with use again and he was quite unlucky with injuries last year but he’s had a really good winter.
"And Aaron Swan is back too; he's learnt a lot the last year and will be a lot stronger this year.
The team has become a well drilled outfit in recent seasons and is hoping for more this year (Photo: Dc Images)
“On top of that we’ve got Conor McCann who was previously part of the Talent Team 2020 and we’ve Jake Gray who is a fantastic talent.
“Adam Stenson has been one of the best U16s coming up and Patrick Goszczyk, formerly of Inspiration CC, is with us now as well.
“For the women’s team we’ve got Jenny Neenan and Emily Birchall. They'll be good because FUJI have a big interest in women’s cycling.
"They’ve a women’s team in Germany and sponsor a couple of pro teams in the States so we’re hoping that’ll open doors for the girls.”
As well as that the team have a trio of French riders in the shape of Alexis Roche, Johan Delalaire and Clement Suir.
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