The NRPT-Standard Life team had already partnered with AC Bisontine and now it has signed emerging French talent Johan Delalaire (Photo with thanks to Be-Celt)
The Nicolas Roche Performance Team has broken new ground with the signing of the team’s first foreign rider.
The Irish-based squad, whose mission is to develop riders for the espoir and elite ranks, has added talented French first-year junior Johan Delalaire to its ranks for the 2015 season.
The 17-year-old was a prolific winner in his home country last year, where he took a staggering 28 wins.
Most recently he has won a French divisional cyclocross title, has represented France on the track and won an U16 national title.
Team manager Philip Finnegan said he's excited to add a more international flavour to the team.
Most recently victorious at cyclocross, Delalaire also has a real pedigree in road and track (Photo with thanks to Be-Celt)
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"We’ve a great team with Michael O'Loughlin, Craig McAuley and the others,” he said.
"Our calendar is an international one, with races in France, the US and Belgium. Obviously the Junior Tour remains our big goal.”
Finnegan believed the inclusion of a strong foreign rider would also drive the Irish riders in the team to progress.
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Delalaire said he was thrilled to be joining the team.
"It's flattering to know that Nicolas Roche follows you,” he said.
Having a French international on the team should bring on the Irish NRPT-Standard Life squad members (Photo with thanks to Be-Celt)
“It makes me want to do more. I didn't know last week that his manager Philip Finegan wanted to recruit me.
"Last season, I had 20 victories, and (next) year I really want to learn the job.
"This experience I’ll get within the team will be very useful to my career, especially when we race internationally.
"My goals are obviously French races but now, why not international races?
“I really want to give the best of myself and learn more, I will not disappoint Nicolas Roche, Philip Finnegan and Pádraic Quinn, I'm excited about this team.”
The NRPT-Standard Life squad has yet to confirm its full Irish roster for next year but with many of its strong riders progressing from the junior to U23 ranks, the team should have plenty of changes.
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