Kitted out and with their new Turas bikes; the team is ready for the first big goal of 2013, the Gorey Three-Day at the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend
During the off season we brought you news of an exciting venture on the Irish development scene in the shape of the new Nicolas Roche Performance Team. It is designed to nurture some of the best young riders in the country.
Under the watchful eye of manager Philip Finnegan and mentors including Barry Sutton and Austin Mooney, the team has already been seen in the racing bunches in the first weeks of the new season.
Here we profile the riders who were selected from the large number who applied to be included in the project’s first year in 2013, and we’ll bring you more soon on the business/sponsorship end of this new venture.
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The Riders
Bruton, Danny – An extremely consistent performer as a first year junior in 2012, he ended the year in 2nd place in the national junior rankings. He was 1st in the Stamullen GP and 1st junior in the National Hill Climb Championships. A good all round rider, he’s looking to build on that successful season last year with wins in the current campaign. He came close last weekend to opening his account when he was second in the A3 Newbridge GP.
Corcoran, Liam – National Junior Road Race Champion 2012, he wears that national jersey with his new team this year; an important feature for the first year of the project. The Mayo man has an eye for late breaks and is looking to become more consistent this year. He has a very good finishing kick and is one of the riders who will be looked to for wins when he shakes off some recent illness.
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Foley, Dylan – Winner of the Charleville Two-Day last year and 3rd overall in the An Post Gorey Three Day, he’s a strong all-rounder and excellent time triallist. Represented Ireland at Junior Europeans in 2012 and looking to the Worlds in 2013. Focused on good results this year, he bagged the team’s first win two weeks ago in the A3 race at the Cycleways Cup in Navan, Co Meath, when he rode for 40km on his own and held off the field at 25 seconds all the way. He was also 2nd in the A3 race at Rás Luimni last weekend.
McCarthy, David – Second year junior in 2013 and a strong sprinter. Consistent good results in 2012 and looking at more wins in 2013. Will be an excellent team player and will make the most of his opportunities during the year. Has already started solidly with some valuable team work and is expected to get chances of his own a little later in the season.
Downey, Mark – First year junior in 2013. Multiple wins at underage at home and abroad. Really consistent rider and strong against the clock. Look for some strong performances in stage races in 2013. He made the breakaway at the Cycleways Cup in Navan a fortnight ago and was 5th in the John Moore Memorial in Co Down last weekend.
Long, Darragh – Very consistent rider at underage, now a first year junior. Winner of Noel Hammond Memorial and Corkagh Park Youth League in 2012. Looking for some strong performances in 2013 and bagged his first placing of the year in Navan and also contributed strongly to the team performance last weekend.
Ryan, Fintan – Highly ambitious and strong track rider. Joins the junior ranks in 2013. Will target National Championships on both the road and track and look at some good performances in stage races such as Gorey Three Day. He was 6th in Navan a fortnight ago and was in the breakaway in Newbridge for two laps last weekend before finishing 5th.
Taggert, Matthew –Making the transition from underage to junior in 2013. Began racing in 2011 but has already twice been Northern Ireland Road Race Champion. Strong on the climbs and on the flat, he will learn a lot in 2013 and is finding his form at present.
Sutton, Barry – Experienced senior rider who will help guide riders on the road at certain events. Based in France in the 90s, his racing knowledge and guidance will be invaluable to junior riders on the team. He’s also pretty handy with a camera, a skill that will undoubtedly be useful in helping promote the team, known as NRPT-Standard Life, in the year ahead.
To keep an eye on their exploits, you can follow them at their new Facebook page here.
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