Marc Potts had a fine 2015, becoming a fully fledged Irish international, both on the track and the road. He rode the European Championships in Switzerland in October as well as a World Cup in Colombia a couple of weeks later while he also rode in the green of Ireland at Kreizh-Breizh Elites in August. He has joined a solid set-up for 2016 where he should get plenty chances to excel (Photo: Martine Verfaillie)
By Brian Canty
Irish international track and road rider Marc Potts has joined UK team Neon Velo CC for the 2016 season, leaving the Belgian-based Tomac CC outfit he’s been with for the past couple of seasons.
The 24 year-old Tyrone man joins an ambitious squad of riders who are keen to move up to the Continental ranks as soon as 2017.
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Though their main emphasis is on developing U23 riders, the Neon Velo team will have an elite squad who plan to race all the big events on the British calendar, including the hugely popular Tour Series.
They’re a very well supported unit with considerable backing from the Neon Velo brand and Oakley as well as H2, Giant and KitBrix. More sponsors are set to be announced in the weeks ahead.
Potts outlined the team’s ambition as one of the main reasons for his move there.
“It’s a change as much as a challenge for me but I like a lot of things about Neon and that’s why I decided to join them,” he said.
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“The main reason is the calendar; the bulk of which will be the Elite Road Series, Elite Circuit Series the Rás as well as some UCI races like the Rutland Melton International CiCle Classic, Beaumont Trophy and Velothon.”
Potts took some top results in 2015; a fifth in the nationals followed a top 10 in the Rás on stage 7.
He was also part of the county rider break that was caught inside the final kilometres of stage three during the Irish stage race last May.
He believes he can improve in the next 12 months and build on his experience to date.
“Neon are not a ‘Conti’ team but there are more opportunities for me to race with them," he said.
“For example, if I scraped my way onto one of the ‘top’ UK Conti teams I could be left on the bench for nine out of 10 races.
“But I want to get experience racing in the UK this year and they seemed like an ideal way into it.
“I remember seeing their set-up at the Rás last year; they’re really into it and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”
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