Having been faced with possible retirement if he hadn't found a team after his Champion System squad suddenly folded, Irish champion Matt Brammeier has secured a lifeline with the Synergy Baku squad for 2014.

The 28-year old, who won a record fourth consecutive Irish road race title in June, will be one of the leaders of the Azerbaijan-registered outfit, which has several Irish links. Connor McConvey is another of the team’s riders, while David McQuaid and David McCann are involved in the management.

Brammeier has clear targets for 2014

“I have never won a GC [general classification] at a stage race; that is something I would like to do. Of course I also want to try and retain my national title and have a strong and consistent year for the team,” he said yesterday.