Jack Wilson has signed up for another year with the An Post-Chain Reaction team and is determined to show what he is capable of after an injury-blighted season.
The 22-year-old had a fine first two seasons with the team, but injuries, including a broken collarbone, have since reduced his impact. He is one of four Irish riders who will be with the team in 2016.
"I'm delighted to stay with An Post. It's been a tough year with a few unfortunate injuries and I haven't shown the consistency that I've wanted," he said. "But I'm really happy Kurt [Bogaerts] has kept faith in me and I'm looking forward to proving my worth."
Wilson is the only Irish rider from the 2015 line-up to continue with the Belgium-based squad, but former An Post-Chain Reaction rider Connor McConvey is returning. He competed with the team between 2010 and 2012 before racing for Synergy Baku and Team 3M.
Two more Irish riders will be part of the line-up in 2016. Former national cyclo-cross champion David Montgomery and Daniel Stewart have inked deals and will join Wilson and McConvey, plus a number of strong international competitors.
These include the new signing Calvin Watson, who moves to the team after two years with the Trek Factory Racing WorldTour squad.
In other news, Ciaran McKenna has succeeded Denis Toomey as president of Cycling Ireland. He has said the rejuvenation of road cycling is one of his main goals, but he also wants a velodrome built in Ireland.
Green light
Toomey stated last weekend that Minister for Sport Paschal Donohoe had given a green light to Sport Ireland to go to tender to construct a velodrome.
McKenna wants to ensure this happens and that Irish riders, such as former world champion Martyn Irvine, no longer need to go abroad to use a high-class facility.
Another initiative intended to further Irish success in the future is in the spotlight this weekend, with the new Emerald Fund holding two events to raise money for young riders.
Set up by a group including top Irish professional Dan Martin, the fund is intended to help aspiring professionals achieve that goal.
Martin, new Cannondale-Garmin rider Ryan Mullen, promising under-23 rider Eddie Dunbar, Irish road race champions Damien Shaw and Lydia Boylan plus Sean Kelly are amongst those who will take part on Saturday.
Held in Dunboyne, these begin with a multi-distance sportive and then are followed that evening by the Emerald fund banquet.
For details see Emeraldfund.ie.
