UCD CC has bagged a new sponsorship deal for itself as it looks ahead to the remainder of the season with big objectives for a very strong group of riders. Above, Paul Fitzsimons, owner of FitzCycles.ie, receiving a 2016 ‘UCD-FitzCycles’ team jersey from team managers Noel McGlynn and Brendan Kilbride.
Having progressed enormously in the last five years to produce riders that are now among the best in the country, UCD CC has landed a new sponsorship deal.
FitzCycles has decided to back the team for 2016 and will not only support the riders through the 2016 campaign but will also be the Dublin outfit’s main supporter in the An Post Rás and other major races like Rás Mumhan and the Gorey Three Day.
FitzCycles recently celebrated its fifth birthday and as well as having its shop on Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, south Dublin it also runs a successful website in FitzCycles.ie.
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Owner of the company, Paul Fitzsimons, said he had always planned to get involved in the domestic scene as his business has grown.
And the fact he is a graduate of UCD and was in the club made it the natural squad to back.
“It seems like a distant memory since I was on the bike with UCD, but this is a big deal for me as I see it as the next chapter in my involvement with the team”, said Fitzsimons.
“FitzCycles.ie celebrated its fifth birthday last November and we always saw that the next step in our evolution was to get involved with Irish cycling scene; a partnership with UCD was the obvious connection.”
The new jersey: The club has retained its traditional look but with the addition of the sponsor's name.
UCD CC’s vice president and Rás Mumhan team manager, Noel McGlynn, said the support of FitzCycles would be invaluable.
“We’re delighted that Paul and FitzCycles.ie have come on board to support the road team,” he said.
“It’s always great when former team members become involved, supporting the next generation of UCD cyclists.”
And with its new financial backing in place, UCD-Fitzcycles.ie will be getting stuck in next weekend at both Gorey and Rás Mumhan.
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Eoin Morton, Ben Delaney, Paul O’Reilly, Joseph Breheny and newly promoted A1 rider Louis Carnec will ride Rás Mumhan.
Morton is currently in the US racing for the Dublin Thunder team in the new World Cycling Series in Los Angeles.
And he has enjoyed great form already this season, winning the Phoenix GP and riding strongly every time he has raced.
He will lead the team in Rás Mumhan but every member of the squad has something to offer, even though UCD will be without strongman Ian Richardson who rides in Kerry as part of the Irish team.
Ian Richardson, left, and Eoin Morton have the best results of the current crop of UCD-Fitzcycles riders but there are more coming up through the ranks (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Niall Dwyer, Jamie Noone, Terry O’Malley, Conor McKenna and Simon Jones will ride the Gorey for UCD-Fitzcycles.ie.
And like their club mates in Kerry, they will be very much on the hunt for results to repay FitzCycles for their support.
“We will bring a good mix of experience and youth to the Gorey,” said team manager Brendan Kilbride.
“There are a number of strong teams in the race this year, such as the NRPT but I think the lads will make their presence felt.”
Meanwhile, Noel McGlynn believed the UCD-Fitzcycles.ie selection he would managed in Kerry over Easter can make a big impact.
“The team brings a lot of experience with it this year, with four of the five experienced stage race riders and familiar with Rás Mumhan,” he said.
“Unfortunately Ian Richardson won’t be with us as he will be riding with the Ireland team.
“I’m delighted that Ian has the opportunity to represent his country and am looking forward to seeing how the newest member of UCD-Fitzcycles.ie, Louis Carnec gets on.”
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