An Post reveal 2008 Sean Kelly Cycling Team
12 February 2008
The 2008 team includes six Irish cyclists, with 2007 riders Páidi O’Brien, Stephen Gallagher, Isaac Speirs and Mark Cassidy all re-signed, and new additions Ronan McLoughlin and Denis Dunworth.
The team was set up by Kelly three years ago, to provide a foothold for young Irish riders on the professional cycling ladder. The UCI registered continental team is also backed for 2008 by M.Donnelly and Grant Thornton.
The team is an extension of the Sean Kelly Academy, set up by Cycling Ireland to give young Irish cyclists a base from which to compete in Belgium. With the aim of progressing onto a ProTour team in the future, the riders compete in a programme of top international races, at a much higher level than they can in Ireland.
Having earlier turned down some top riders, including Slovakian under-23 world champion Peter Velits and his brother Martin, Sean Kelly and Team Manager Kurt Bogaerts have signed up a number of top class European riders since the announcement of the An Post sponsorship back in early December.
Sponsors An Post got involved with cycling for the first time in 2007 as sponsors of the green points jersey in the inaugural Tour of Ireland and support for the Seán Kelly team in 2008 is set to be the first in a number of national and local cycling sponsorship initiatives this year.
“An Post's sponsorship of the Seán Kelly team is the start of what we hope will be a significant investment in cycling in Ireland,” An Post CEO Donal Connell said. “We believe that our involvement with the Séan Kelly team will help ensure Ireland’s best young riders have the chance to fulfil their potential, and gain invaluable experience and exposure in international cycling -something we believe is integral to the development of cycling across the country. This team is now a benchmark for youngsters getting into the sport in Ireland. It’s something to aim for and it’s important for the development of the sport here.”
The team’s 2008 campaign got off to a strong start in January with the Tour of San Luis in Argentina, where Páidi O’Brien finished 16th in the bunch sprint. They travelled directly to France for the GP Marseillaise and the Etoile Bresseges which ended on Sunday.
The An Post squad will return to Ireland for the nation's top races, the FBD Insurance Rás, Tour of Ireland and national championships.
“The team will be back in Ireland for the first time on May 18th for the Rás” said Kelly “The team is already looking forward to it - it's always great to return home and showcase success as part of a continental team."
2008 An Post M Donnelly Grant Thornton Team
Paidi O'Brien (IRL, Cork)
Mark Cassidy (IRL, Meath)
Stephen Gallagher (IRL, Armagh)
Ronan McLaughlin (IRL, Donegal)
Isaac Speirs (IRL, Meath)
Denis Dunworth (IRL, Kerry)
Benny Deschrooder (BEL)
Kenny Lisabett (BEL)
Rieno Stofferis (BEL)
Frank Van Kurk (BEL)
Christain Muller (GER)
Victor Folkeran (SWE)
Daniel Lloyd (GB)
Daniel Fleeman (GB)
Manager: Kurt Bogaerts
For further information on the team check out www.anpost.ie/cycling
Contact: Greg Keane, WHPR, 6690136 / 087 6601908
Greg.keane@ogilvy.com
