Toby Sweetman has signed for a French team for what will be his first season as an U23 rider in 2026. The Co Louth teenager, who has raced for VC Glendale in recent years, claimed a stage of the Junior Tour of Ireland this year. He was then selected onto the Irish team for the European Road Championships in France.
However, Sweetman also lost his father, popular cycling figure and former international Craig Sweetman, in July. He died suddenly, aged just 52 years, a week after his son's stage win while riding for the Irish team at the Junior Tour.
Recently Toby told stickybottle he had initially intended to take himself off to France for the 2026 season and his plan was to relocate there for the full year and throw himself into the French road racing scene.
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However, after his father died he decided against that plan and believed staying at home, and racing in Ireland, would be better for him. But now he, and his new French team, have come up with a really positive plan to manage his season.
Sweetman said when he informed the team - Buffaz Gestion de Patrimoine - that he was going to remain in Ireland, as his dad had died, they immediately moved to help him.
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"They were really good to me and understanding," he said. "They're going to let me go over in stints for their training camp and for some races early season.
"And then I'll be back for the Rás and Nationals and then back over again to France, maybe for a bit longer, later on in the year."
The team, formerly Lyon Sprint Evolution, is well used to having Irish riders on its rosters as both Curtis Neill and Travis Harkness have raced for it for the last two years.
In a statement from the team confirming its new Irish rider, Sweetman said: "I'm really excited to be joining Team Buffaz. My victory at the Junior Tour of Ireland has shown me what I’m capable of and has made me want to go a course.
"The team provides me with the perfect framework to keep progressing. Next season I want to gain experience, run with confidence and put myself in the best conditions for success at the next level."
