Cycling ColumnA shift in focus from quantity to quality will, it is hoped, improve the prospects of young Irish riders going on to successful professional careers and making a mark in top events such as the Tour de France.

Sean Kelly/M Donnelly racing team manager Kurt Bogaerts confirmed yesterday the Belgian-based Irish squad are to merge with another major Irish team, the Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group set-up. Both made history this year when they took out Continental licences, becoming the first Irish teams to race at this level.

Bogaerts is hoping the amalgamation will lead to greater success in 2007 and beyond. "I think this is a very good step," he said. "Looking back, I think it was a bit too much to have two Continental teams, certainly at this early stage. Joining the two squads will be an important move and will help us to move to the next level."

Both squads rode big international events this season but while good results were obtained by some riders, others found it more difficult to compete regularly at a high level.

The new structure will see an overall reduction in Irish riders with Continental licences due to the change in emphasis from quantity to quality. However, it is expected this short-term refocusing will bring about greater overall success for Irish cycling in the years ahead.

Bogaerts gave some details about the new set-up. "M Donnelly will remain from the Sean Kelly team, and then Murphy and Gunn and the Newlyn Group will come on board as new backers. There might also be the possibility of taking on an extra sponsor, we will see what happens in the next few weeks."

"As regards the line-up, we will start talking with the riders next Thursday about contracts. I think there will be eight or nine, or perhaps 10, Irish guys who will be riding for the team. Then there will also be some young foreign riders, not only from Belgium but other nationalities as well."

Bogaerts said the line-up is some way from being finalised but mentioned Paídí O'Brien, Tim Cassidy and Mark Cassidy as among those likely to be retained. Some riders from the existing Murphy and Gunn setup will also be considered.

Fixtures: Saturday: Ulster cyclo cross league round 3, Banbridge Academy. Starts noon.