Eddie Dunbar said while many expected him to sign for An Post-Chainreaction, he opted for a UK team based on the advice of those around him (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile)
By Gerard Cromwell
Banteer teenager Eddie Dunbar will begin his U23 career with British team NFTO next season, having signed a one-year contract to ride with the Continental level squad from January 1.
A prolific winner on the domestic and international junior scenes this year, the 18-year-old had plenty of offers from other squads.
But he turned down Belgian-based An Post Chainreaction, British outfit Rapha Condor JLT and American squad Bissell to sign for NFTO, only making up his mind the week before last.
“I didn’t make my final decision until after the World Championships because I wanted to keep my mind focussed leading up to the worlds and didn’t want any other stuff going on,” Dunbar told stickybottle.
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After the worlds in Ponferrada, the national junior road champion sat down with the two people he has taken the most advice from since he took up cycling as a schoolboy; Kanturk CC’s Dan Curtin and his mother.
Beating Michael O'Loughlin in a two-up sprint for the national junior road title this year. Dunbar was time trial champion last year (Photo: (Photo: Dave Coleman – Dc Images)
“We talked through what would be the best option for me personally and for my development as a rider,” said Dunbar.
“Danny and my mother are the main people I get advice off. Danny has coached me and my mom has brought me up. They are the two main people, and you have to listen to their advice.
"I got a lot of advice off Danny’s son Will as well. He’s helped me a lot in the last three months and they are the main three people I go to for advice.
“We had a few offers but NFTO have a really good race program for next year and the owner of the team is very enthusiastic and so passionate about the sport.
“You couldn’t ask for a better coach than Courtney Rowe - father of Team Sky pro Luke Rowe - to look after you. And then you have a brilliant DS in Dave Povall, so it’s a brilliant set up and you can’t really fault it.
“It’s a very good place to go and it’s only an hour away from home on a flight.”
NFTO's Adam Blythe wins the RideLondon Surrey Classic this year ahead of Sky's Ben Swift and Philippe Gilbert of BMC.
Although linked with Sean Kelly’s An Post-Chainreaction team earlier in the season, Dunbar feels it is a bit early for the rough and tumble of Belgian racing and that he will perhaps get a better chance to develop in the UK.
“I was tempted," he said of the An Post-Chainreaction offer.
"They have a very good race program as well but I’m still only 18 years of age and have five years left at U23 level so I’ve plenty of time left.
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“Next year is an important year to develop as a rider and, as I said, NFTO is only an hour away from home. They’ve a good race program, brilliant coach and that’s what I wanted to do.
"That’s what the people closest to me advised too. Some people will be disappointed I didn’t go to An Post but it’s my choice and it’s only for a year.”
On his way to victory in the Junior Tour of Ireland; Dunbar won the race outright this year and last (Photo: Stephen McMahon - Sportsfile)
Dunbar will travel to England to join up with the NFTO squad in November and will live in the team house in Hereford for most of the 2015 season.
Although the British scene is perhaps better known for its criteriums, NFTO are aiming to expand their race programme into Europe next year, which is another reason Dunbar was attracted to the team.
“Obviously they have a lot of crits in England but next year they are looking more at racing abroad.
“NFTO have proved they’re one of the best teams in Britain already this year, so next year their main focus is to race abroad more and move up a level.
“I should still be able to race for the Irish U23 national team in the Nations Cup if I’m selected," he said.
"And they also do Ras Mumhan and a couple of other races, so I should be back to do those depending on what other races the team have on.”
Wearing the climbers' jersey at the Tour of the North earlier this year; Dunbar said he hopes his climbing will stand to him next year (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
NFTO's Russell Downing and Adam Blythe are both moving up a level in 2015; Downing joining Danish Continental professional team CULT Energy and Blythe moving up to the WorldTour with Orica GreenEDGE.
And Dunbar is hoping a year in the UK will help him do the same.
“I just want to get better as a rider, develop as a rider and get as much experience as I can," he said of his general plans for next year.
“I expect to be working for other riders on the team and stuff like that. And I’m sure there will be day when I get my chance to shine.
“I have my eyes set on one of the hilly races that we’ll do and I’ll try and do my best to get the best result I can in that. And NFTO have the Tour of Britain at the end of the season.
“To get picked for that and to get to race against all the big boys would be one of my aims for next season. If I get picked for that at the end of the year, it will be a successful season for me.”
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