Philip Lavery has secured a place for next year with the UK’s newest UCI Continental outfit ‘Node 4–Giordana Racing Team’.
The Staffordshire-based squad is effectively a rebranded version of the well-known ‘Motorpoint Pro Cycling’ team.
The 21-year-old Dubliner says he is now looking forward to next season with renewed enthusiasm.
He will ride his new team’s schedule of UK races, including the Premier Calendar series, but will also have a full programme of continental racing as he puts behind him a difficult, illness-hit, year with the An Post-Sean Kelly team.
“I felt that An Post was not the right team for me, I wanted to go somewhere with a tighter team spirit,” he said.
He believes riding for a team run by well known British cycling figure Phil Griffiths, supported by Vuelta points winner Malcolm Elliott, represents an invaluable opportunity to realise his potential.
“Phil has a good reputation for treating his riders well; everyone knows how he helped Russ Downing,” Lavery said of the British rider who went on to ride for Sky.
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“The kind of race programme like the Ras, Tour of Britain, Tour of Norway and stage races in France, Spain and Portugal suit me more than a lot of the Belgian races. There are also the Premiers and I will be released to ride the midweek Nation’s Cup under 23 races for Ireland.”
Lavery said he will most likely base himself in Ireland for the start of the season but would then move to the UK. He added that having the chance to work with Elliot, who will effectively fill a rider-director role, was a major draw.
“I met him several years ago when he rode the Ras and my mother was a masseur on the race. Just seeing how he looked after his bike was an inspiration to me as a young rider.”
“A young rider can learn so much from a man with his background and experience, he is the kind of leader riders can respect. It is such a confidence boost to have someone like that in the team car and you just want to win his approval.”
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Lavery added that his signing for a UK-based team was in no way indicative of any lack of belief that he can cut in on the Continent at the highest level.
“I still have plenty of international ambitions and would like to get on a Pro Tour team in the next couple of years. I know I have the ability; it’s a question of showing the confidence and getting the right results.”
Elliot said he had no doubt the new team could help Lavery with those longer term goals. The UK scene had moved forward in recent years and was now at a very high standard, with teams like Raleigh, Endura and Rapha Condor-Sharp all now major players.
“There are now six UCI teams competing on home roads,” said Elliot.
“Every year the competition steps up. Some of our riders have unfulfilled ambitions. Hopefully I can pass on as much knowledge as I can.’
Riders:
Peter Williams; James Sampson; Marcin Bialoblocki; Andrew Magnier; Lee Davis; Philip Lavery; James Moss; Kieran Frend; Matt Higgins; Dave Clarke; Matt Cronshaw; Rico Rogers.
Family photo: The new line-up poses for their launch shot
New team and new kit for Lavery
