In a sport that has shifted towards signing younger and younger cyclists into professional teams, cycling has also thrown up a fairytale story this year in the shape of Irishman Dillon Corkery.
Though past results failed to secure him a place in the paid ranks, the Corkman has now landed at deal in the World Tour for the next two years.
And though he is aged 26 years, a little older than most riders new to the top tier, Corkery's new head coach has praised the Irishman's resilience and his "exceptional" abilities.
Corkery, who was 2nd in the National Road Race Championships last year and is a former Irish criterium champion, will bolster the team's lead-out train but is also set to get a run at the biggest classics, according to head coach Rudi Kemna.
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“Dillon is a rider who has developed a little later, but his instincts for positioning and timing in a sprint are exceptional and immediately strengthen our classics and lead-out group," said Kemna, the former Dutch road race champion.
"We believe he has the raw qualities to become a key part of our sprint train while we help him explore the harder one-day races and discover exactly where his strengths can shine.
"Bringing him into our system gives us a rider who is hungry to prove himself and who will add depth and reliability to our fast-finishing squad.”
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The team said the fact Corkery previously worked on buildings sites, which he combined with his cycling, was a credit to him. However, it was his results earlier this year that caught the team's eye.
They included 6th at the cobbled GP de Denain against top quality opposition, 8th place in La Roue Tourangelle and a 3rd on the opening stage of Règion Pays de la Loire Tour, among others.
Corkery said he had "always wanted to be part of a team that combines professionalism with the freedom to grow" and Team Picnic PostNL "felt like the perfect fit".
"I’m especially excited to play a role in races I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid, like the Classics and maybe even a Grand Tour. I would describe myself as a punchy rider who loves a fast finish and can support our sprinters when it counts," he said.
"My goal is to contribute to a winning environment and keep that momentum going throughout the season. On the bike I bring experience and tactical know-how, while off the bike I try to create a calm, relaxed atmosphere and have a bit of “craic” with the boys, as we say in Ireland.”
Corkery raced for UCI Continental team, St Michel - Preference Home-Auber93, for the last two years but has been a stagiaire with Picnic PostNL since the start of August and has a deal for the next two years.
He has already raced with his new employers, making his debut at Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen (1.1) three weeks ago before moving on it Gooikse Pijl (1.1) and Le Tour de Langkawi (2.Pro).
