Former world champion track rider Martyn Irvine is flanked by Stephen Barrett and Tim Barry in Cork on a huge, huge day for Irish cycling. Team Aqua Blue Sport is up and running and is getting ready for the off (Photo: Cathal Noonan)
Their's are the four key names on an historic day for Irish cycling; Martyn Irvine, Conor Dunne, Matt Brammeier and last but definitely not least Norwegian Lars Petter Nordhaug.
Twelve more riders will be added to the roster in the weeks ahead, for that foursome became the first four riders to be unveiled by Ireland’s new pro cycling outfit Team Aqua Blue Sport this morning.
The backroom staff will be central too, of course, but we will hear from them later on stickybottle. For now it is the riders who take centre stage.
Advertisement
Dunne is hugely experienced and has won some very good races, while Brammeier will be a massive asset to the team with his engine, nose for a breakaway and WorldTour experience.
Irvine has been away from the road for some years, but he has won a world title and World Cups on the track, taken there Worlds medals in all not to mention and medal at the track Europeans and won a place on the Irish team for the London Olympics in 2012.
Nordhaug has a large number of excellent pro wins in his palmares and he will be looked to to deliver again, this time for Team Aqua Blue Sport.
It will hit the pro peloton next year at ProContinental level and any of the first four signings unveiled this morning is capable of bagging those all important early season wins or top results to steady the news ship and bring confidence to it.
Related News
They all sound at home already and up for the challenge ahead – leading a team that wants to be at the Tour de France in its fourth year in existence but knows it has a job of work before it gets there.
Nordhaug said he was delighted to be joining the Irish set-up; the country’s first professional cycling team.
“Since the first time I have spoken with the team I have been really impressed with the way they think, with their approach to managing the team and with the entire philosophy behind it,” he said.
“At this stage in my career I really believe that this philosophy will help me to be the best rider I can be and to focus on delivering the performances that I know are in me. That’s why I chose to join Team Aqua Blue Sport.”
Irvine said he was delighted to join the squad and get back to road racing, which he excelled at before a glittering track career.
“It took a really special offer to coax me out of retirement but the opportunity to compete at this level with an Irish backed team is something I couldn’t pass up.
“Very few Irish athletes get the experience to ride at this level so I feel very lucky to be getting this opportunity and not just about competing but being part of what Rick is trying to achieve.”
And Brammeier, who rides for Ireland in the elite road race at the World Championships in Doha the week after next was similarly thrilled with the move.
“The first time I spoke to Leigh (Bryan, Team Aqua Blue Sport Performance Director) it felt like the perfect team for me.
“It struck me as something completely new for cycling but exactly what cycling needs. Also, what’s hugely important for me is the idea of rider enjoyment and happiness being central to the ethos of the team – that’s my number one priority.”
Topics
