Matt Brammeier's new two-year deal offers him security and is a massive revival in his career, with Grand Tour opportunities now firmly back on the table. Above, riding with Synergy Baku last year.
By Shane Stokes
Having raced at a Continental level for the past two seasons, Matt Brammeier is returning to the top events in the sport with the news that he has signed a two year deal with the MTN-Qhubeka team.
The news of Brammeier’s signing comes just one day after that team was confirmed as riding the 2015 Tour de France, making its debut in the race.
It is a reflection of how far the team has developed and just how far it can go; this year’s plans include riding some of the big Classics and the Tour, and also competing in a second Vuelta a España.
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Next year, the team intends being part of the WorldTour and thus having automatic entry to all of the top events in the sport.
Winning the elite men's national road race championships for the third time in a row in Clonmel in 2012. His finger to the lips gesture was a reference to his non selection at that time for the London Olympics (Photo: Brendan Slattery)
“I am obviously over the moon just to get back into a team where I can just do what I like doing,” Brammeier told stickybottle.
“Just where I can utilise my abilities best. The good thing about it is the team have signed me for a specific reasons, to do a job for the guys on the team that they have already signed.
“It is a job that I enjoy doing and I am good at. It is exiting, just to have a chance to do that and just get stuck back in again.”
A strong rider who has been Irish national road race champion on a record four occasions and who also won the national time trial title in the past, Brammeier is good at long distance breakaways.
He has also proven himself at dragging the bunch along to set things up for sprinters and other riders.
While he is a strong rider in his own right, he is open that his biggest strength is in helping others.
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Matt Brammeier riding the 2011 Paris-Roubaix with HTC Highroad. He had a great year with the team, which had offered him an enhanced and extended contract. But the squad collapsed at the end of that first season with them
He has worked alongside riders such as Mark Cavendish in the past, competing with the Manxman on HTC Highroad and Omega Pharma-QuickStep, and this season will have other big names to protect and guide.
MTN’s list of sprinters is an impressive one; in addition to past Milan-Sanremo winners Gerald Ciolek and Matt Goss, the team will also feature Theo Bos, Tyler Farrar and Edvald Boasson Hagen.
It also includes a strong selection of climbers, with African riders such as Natnael Berhane, Merhawi Kudus, Adrien Niyonshuti, Louis Meintjes and Daniel Teklehaimanot on board.
Brammeier’s deal plus that of an yet-to-be signed African rider will increase the team size to 24 and enable it to field strong teams in both the Tour and the Vuelta, should it be selected for the latter.
Brammeier in a publicity shot released by his new team this morning; it's a fantastic opportunity for a rider still with a long way to go in his career.
The line-up makes a big step up from his past two teams, namely the Continental squads Champion Systems and Synergy Baku.
Brammeier has battled health issues in the past two years but is feeling strong and optimistic about the year ahead.
“Obviously I had a bit of a down year last season, it wasn’t really where I want to be. So to be back on this level is great,” he said.
“I spoke with Brian [general manager Brian Smith] and a few people already in June, July.
"MTN was my number one choice in terms of what I would get out of it and what I could give to the team...the whole team ethos and everything.
“It was where I want to be, so to finally have it sorted and everything done means I am obviously pretty happy.”
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