Kelly to employ foreign tactics

Cycling News: New year, new level. The name of the An Post M Donnelly Grant Thornton Seán Kelly cycling team may not quite roll off the tongue, but if things go to plan commentators will have plenty of practice before the season is out.

The goal for 2008 is to build on what has been achieved during the two previous years of the Irish-registered, UCI-ranked Continental squad. With new backing, a modified line-up and a bigger programme of races, the opportunity is there for things to be taken a step further.

Although the team has already raced this year, taking some important results in the Etoile de Bessèges in France last week, the new line-up was officially unveiled at the GPO, Dublin, yesterday.

There the former world number one Seán Kelly and the 14 riders were presented to the media, the various backers and a number of guests from the world of cycling.

There are six Irishmen in this year's team - Páidí O'Brien (Cork), Mark Cassidy (Meath), Stephen Gallagher (Armagh), Ronan McLaughlin (Donegal), Isaac Speirs (Meath) and Denis Dunworth (Kerry).

The decision has also been made to increase the number of overseas riders, bringing in some new faces to provide experience.

These eight are the Belgians Benny De Schrooder, Kenny Lisabeth, Rieno Stofferis and Frank Van Kuik, the Britons Daniel Lloyd and Daniel Fleeman, the German Christian Müller and the Swede Viktor Folkesson.

"We have a better team this year," said Kelly. "We have a number of foreign riders there and there is a tactic in that. I feel if you have some good foreign riders, the Irish riders will rise to that level. Aside from learning from the others, it will push the Irish guys because everybody is going to be fighting for places on teams for races."

The improvement in standard - and in results - has already been seen. On Sunday De Schrooder finished seventh overall in the Etoile de Bessèges, ending the 2.1-ranked event one minute and 11 seconds behind the winner, Iouri Trofimov (Bouygues Telecom). Lisabeth was eighth on the final stage and both riders placed 13th on previous days.

Besides new faces, the financial backing is also a big factor.

"An Post and the other sponsors are very important for the team and I am indebted to them," Kelly stated.

An Post's chief executive, Donal Connell, welcomed the company's involvement.

"In our view it is crucial young Irish cyclists have access to international competition and training," he said.

"This is an essential element of their career development and an integral part of the development of this sport across the country."

Mark Cassidy is impressed. "Things are looking very good," said the Meathman. "Most of the new riders have either been on Professional Continental or ProTour teams in the past, or have taken some good results. It is A very solid team and the morale and confidence are very high."

Although the programme will mainly entail overseas races, the Tour of Ireland, FBD Insurance Rás and national championships will be among the targets.

Next up is the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal, a 2.1-ranked race running from February 20th to 24th.