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One of the best riders and mentors to come from the Irish domestic cycling scene in many years, Tim Barry is now flying the flag – for Aqua Blue Sport, Ireland and Cork – at the Vuelta. That's him on the extreme left.

Tim Barry (and Aqua Blue Sport riders) on Vuelta stage

Still in its first season in the pro game, Aqua Blue Sport is about to start the Vuelta. It enjoyed its first taste of the sport’s Grand Tours at the presentation in Nimes this evening.

The team managers and riders are introduced to the crowds in this video clip, shared by the squad on Twitter.

We all know it’s the riders who’ll do the suffering over the next three weeks. And because of that, they’re the ones who deserve the respect.

But, as the Irish cycling site, we were delighted here at stickybottle to see Tim Barry on this stage with the riders.

Here we go. #LaVuelta2017 pic.twitter.com/0vbWKVYvpY

— Aqua Blue Sport (@AquaBlueSport) August 18, 2017

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Barry is of the domestic road racing scene. A Corkman first and foremost, he was a top Irish amateur rider in his day.

He represented Ireland many times and won almost all of the big races on the home scene.

Even before he hung up his racing wheels he was managing and mentoring other riders.

And once he stopped racing he got more and more involved in the management side of the sport at home. There was no financial reward in it for him, he just loved it.

He convinced Rick Delaney, the owner of the Aqua Blue company, to sponsor an amateur racing team in Ireland.

And from there the seed of creating a pro team took hold.

That idea became a reality over last winter with the launch of the Aqua Blue Sport ProContinental team.

And Tim Barry would make the jump with the outfit into the pro ranks as a sports director. Now he’s on the Vuelta stage with the riders.

He won’t thank us for highlighting his presence on the race or for putting him to the fore (just this once) ahead of the riders. But he deserves the recognition.

Tim Barry; we salute you. Onwards and upwards and enjoy the Vuelta.