Cycling ColumnThe prospect of more Irish riders making the breakthrough in international cycling will be boosted when the new Seán Kelly Racing Team is officially launched in Dublin on Monday.
The former world number one will act as team director for the squad, which will be the first such UCI-registered Continental-level racing team to come out of Ireland.
It will be based in Belgium and will compete in professional and amateur events in Europe and further afield.
The team will be predominantly comprised of Irish riders in 2006, although several Belgian riders will also compete in its colours. Seven Irish riders have been signed thus far, with three others to be taken on board later in the year. Those confirmed include the promising young Dubliner Tim Cassidy, who took a number of strong results last year, including third place in the 1.2-ranked La Roue Tourangelle.
He will be joined by FBD Insurance Rás stage winner Roger Aiken and Irish under-23 champion Paídí O'Brien, both of whom were based at the Seán Kelly Cycling Academy in 2005.
Also returning is Ciarán Kelly, who won a number of high-level junior races last season in Belgium. The Irish contingent is completed by Eoin and Miceal Concannon plus Andrew McQuaid, son of UCI president Pat McQuaid.
The team is a result of ongoing collaboration between Kelly, Cycling Ireland and the Seán Kelly Cycling Academy in Merchtem, Belgium. The new squad will be based there in 2006.
While the prospects improve for one set of young riders, another of Irish cycling's most promising talents has announced that he is to retire from international competition. Downhill racer Jamie Popham showed his talents when he finished an excellent fifth in both the 2003 and the 2004 European junior championships.
Popham confirmed his retirement and listed a number of reasons, including the controversial decision by the Irish Sports Council to exclude non-Olympic athletes from the International Carding scheme in 2006 and the lingering effects of a broken ankle suffered in 2004.
Finally, a three-man Irish track team will line out in the 11th edition of the Revolution series on Saturday.
Ray Clarke, Martin Monroe and Miceal Concannon will compete in the elite men's endurance events, where they are expected to come up against the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Bradley McGee and Rob Hayles.
The team will be managed by Will Byrne and assisted by Paul Nugent.
