Robert Jon McCarthy is one of the riders impacted by the latest team closure in pro cycling; JLT-Condor coming to an end - for now anyway.
Ireland’s Robert Jon McCarthy is among a group of riders in need of a new team for next year after JLT-Condor said it was closing.
The British Continental-level team had been open about its need to search for a new sponsor.
And while it was only confirmed today the squad would not be around next year, riders had been kept briefed and have long been free to look for other teams.
Robert Jon McCarthy is the only Irish rider currently on the roster at JLT-Condor. He has ridden very well this year and should have no great difficulty in securing a place elsewhere for next year.
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He was unavailable for comment at the time of writing, but we will catch up with him soon.
McCarthy represented Ireland in the elite road race at the European Championships in Glasgow this year. He went on the attack and rode most of the day in the breakaway.
Among McCarthy’s notable results this year was a Rás stage win, 5th on a stage at the Tour de Yorkshire and 2nd in the prologue of the Istrian Spring Trophy (2.2) in Croatia.
McCarthy was born in Ireland but emigrated, from Fermoy in Co Cork, with his family to Australia as a child.
He is a former Australian junior road race champion. Furthermore, he competed for Australia at the World Road Championships and U23 Nations Cup.
McCarthy left cycling for a couple of years but returned last season and declared for Ireland. He has brought some very decent consistency to his form this season.
Still aged just 24 years and with a very fast sprint, McCarthy can feel confident of retaining a place in pro cycling.
He has ridden for two years with JLT Condor; which is ceasing because JLT is not continuing as a sponsor.
McCarthy winning stages of the Rás; with An Post-Chainreaction in 2014 and with Ireland this year. James Gullen wins the Rás overall last year with JLT Condor (Photos by Inpho and Sportsfile)
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JLT Condor team searched for a new backer but have been unable to find one. And now the squad has run out of time; though a return at some point is possible, it said.
Team team was a regular the Rás Tailteann. It won the race twice overall; with James Gullen last year and with Simon Richardson in 2009.
The closure of team follows Aqua Blue Sport stopping very suddenly, with no warning, last month after one year and eight months.
One Pro Cycling, a UK Continental team, is also ceasing its men’s team and redirect some of those resources into women’s racing.
BMC Racing, a WorldTour team, will also not continue it its current form.
Veranda's Willems-Crelan and Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij have merged after the former’s joining forces with Aqua Blue Sport fell through.
JLT Condor was formed in 2007 by Condor Cycles with manager, John Herety, joining two years later and leading the team ever since.
It had been previously known as Rapha Condor JLT. However, three years ago JLT took over as title sponsor, with Condor.
But JLT’s three-year deal is expiring at the end of this year. And with the economy still tight and cycling going through some hard times, the hunt for a new backer has not been successful.
Managing director of Condor Cycles, Grant Young, said he was “extremely proud” of the team’s record.
“I’ve seen Condor bicycles ridden to national championship victories, to wins in Australia, Japan, France, Spain and South Korea, to name but a few,” he said.
“There have been highs, lows, and many medals. We have all enjoyed working alongside JLT, a business of enthusiastic people keen to learn more about the sport, many of whom are cyclists.
“Up to now, we have been unable to find a partner to fill the position of JLT, but we will continue to search for one.
“Condor will continue to support cycle sport in Britain, as we have done since my father started the brand in 1948.”
Backing one rider to Tokyo
Nick Williams-Walker, chief operating officer of JLT Specialty, said the company had really enjoyed its six-year association with the team.
He said John Herety had done a fantastic job with the squad and had developed some of Britain’s best talent.
“We are pleased to confirm that JLT’s connection with cycling continues through our ongoing sponsorship of Ed Clancy,” Williams-Walker said.
“We (will) support him on his journey to what will hopefully be his fourth successful Olympic Games in 2020.”
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