New Irish pro Conti team (aka The Aquablue thread)

MPFGLB

So Aguablue Sports pro conti team is up and runing and has named its first riders

Matt Brammeier
Conor Dunne
Martyn Irvine


and.....

Lars P Nordhaug

Looks good. I am really excited to have an Irish team at last

MPFGLB

https://twitter.com/AquaBlueSport/status/782897534532542464

MPFGLB

Wouldnlt it be lovely if they could get their hands on McLoughlin & Deignan


Deignan at SKY is a disaster as he never races

MPFGLB

They are hoping to be World Tour in a few years ... but looking to target MSR, Amstel Gold (Nordhaug I suppose) and Tour of Britain


I hope they can win races

Hungrycol

Thought Martyn retired.

68 lost souls

Hungrycol wrote: »

Thought Martyn retired.

He did after a tough year and then I think the break away from the sport for a while and then riding the cars in the Rás reminded him of why he loved the sport. Mad a come back a few months ago with McNally Swords. Good to see him on the bike again.

Pudsy33

MPFGLB wrote: »

They are hoping to be World Tour in a few years ... but looking to target MSR, Amstel Gold (Nordhaug I suppose) and Tour of Britain


I hope they can win races

Jesus they're not messing about with those objectives! They'll need to sign someone else for MSR...

MPFGLB

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Jesus they're not messing about with those objectives! They'll need to sign someone else for MSR...

I think there are more signings to be anounced..could be someone who can ride these races ....a previous sprinter ?


BUt I guess featuring in MSR and Amstel Gold are possible

Wanty won Amstel this year

Might as well aim hgh


P.S. The team have already been invited to MSR, Amstel Gold & Tour of Britian .... so maybe not targeting but maybe again they are....Good they have invites already ...must know people in all the right places
Also invited to Tour presentation ...definitley know the right people

MPFGLB

68 lost souls wrote: »

He did after a tough year and then I think the break away from the sport for a while and then riding the cars in the Rás reminded him of why he loved the sport. Mad a come back a few months ago with McNally Swords. Good to see him on the bike again.

Irvine has the ability to do very well on the road...I guess we didnlt see it sofar as he was concentrating on the track...Maybe now he can do something ...He certainly strong enough when he puts his mind to it

Andalucia

the doctor Alan Farrell formerly worked with Sky - might be able to help them with some marginal gains

1bryan

MPFGLB wrote: »

Looks good. I am really excited to have an Irish team at last

well there was that spate of Italian teams that registered in Ireland (not sure if that still goes on) - Tanax, Colnago CSF, etc. Never knew the reason why they registered here.

The An Post team is Belgian registered, isn't it?

So this will be the highest level "proper" Irish team ever?

The last Conti team we had here was Pezula, wasn't it? Don't think there's been one since.

slow

An Post CRC is Irish-registered this year, I think. It went back to Belgium for a while as it helped to get into Belgian races, but switched back again. The ill-fated Polygon registered in Ireland for a season also. The Italian teams registered here as it was cheaper for a while until CI closed that loophole. Then the UCI brought in the requirement that the biggest number of team members must be from the country of registration. This applies to Conti teams only, as far as I know.

happytramp

MPFGLB wrote: »

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Jesus they're not messing about with those objectives! They'll need to sign someone else for MSR...

I think there are more signings to be anounced..could be someone who can ride these races ....a previous sprinter ?


BUt I guess featuring in MSR and Amstel Gold are possible

Wanty won Amstel this year

Might as well aim hgh


P.S. The team have already been invited to MSR, Amstel Gold & Tour of Britian .... so maybe not targeting but maybe again they are....Good they have invites already ...must know people in all the right places
Also invited to Tour presentation ...definitley know the right people

It's very surprising that they could have been already invited to Milan San Remo already. They've updated their web page to say 'hopefully' invited. Maybe they've been given an indication that they will, which would be great.

CrowdedHouse

1bryan wrote: »

The An Post team is Belgian registered, isn't it?

An Post is Irish but it's a UCI Continental Team (as opposed to a Professional Continental Team) kind of division 2 and 3

MPFGLB

happytramp wrote: »

It's very surprising that they could have been already invited to Milan San Remo already. They've updated their web page to say 'hopefully' invited. Maybe they've been given an indication that they will, which would be great.

I missed the word 'hopefully' as did the team initially

However it is strange that of all the World Tour races they are hoping to ride MSR and Amstel are the races singled out

I mean neither of these races are particularly exciitng in my book

MSR has been won by a strong sprinter like Kristoff and not sure who in Aqua could make a mark in this race ....As for Amstel the Cauberg needs a particular type rider like Gerrnas or Kwait or Gilbert...Not sure who in Aqua could get a result in this race

Maye their as yet unannounced riders ??

If I were to target any race to enter it would be Paris Roubaix...At least with the Irish riders the team woud be noriced and it is possible a rider like Nordaug who can do a tough race could do a top ten . and its a great race where outsiders do win

Craig06

Cameron Meyer making a comeback. Going to aquablue possibly???

MPFGLB

Craig06 wrote: »

Cameron Meyer making a comeback. Going to aquablue possibly???

Yes or maybe Leigh Howard

brocbrocach

MPFGLB wrote: »

....As for Amstel the Cauberg needs a particular type rider like Gerrnas or Kwait or Gilbert...Not sure who in Aqua could get a result in this race

Maye their as yet unannounced riders ??

Nordhaug would be fairly suited to Amstel i think, wouldn't be a bad option in other Ardennes races either. As you say though I can't see MSR taking a punt on their present line up.

1bryan

MPFGLB wrote: »

However it is strange that of all the World Tour races they are hoping to ride MSR and Amstel are the races singled out

I have a feeling it might be something to do with how the wildcards are assigned. I don't know the ins and outs of the process but French wildcard are pretty much always given to French teams, and to non-French teams with a big-name rider (on the premise that big-name rides the race).

I'd love to see them line up in the early season semi-classics. If they could make an impact on these it might help their case for inclusion in the classics in 2018.

It remains to be seen who else's services they manage to secure. I'm sure people here could suggest a few riders who might be useful.

Keeks

1bryan wrote: »

It remains to be seen who else's services they manage to secure. I'm sure people here could suggest a few riders who might be useful.

I would say this would be mostly done and dusted now...I suspect it is just dotting i's and crossing t's.......they are announcing another 4/5 next Monday plus a "marquee" rider

“Next Monday we will announce the next three or four riders. We have announced two WorldTour riders thus far, Lars Petter and Brammeier, and we will have, I think, another five. One of those is a marquee signing, a very good climber.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/new-irish-cycling-team-has-big-plans-for-2017-1.2816663

MPFGLB

MPFGLB wrote: »

Yes or maybe Leigh Howard

Am I psychic or what

MPFGLB

Keeks wrote: »

I would say this would be mostly done and dusted now...I suspect it is just dotting i's and crossing t's.......they are announcing another 4/5 next Monday plus a "marquee" rider



http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/new-irish-cycling-team-has-big-plans-for-2017-1.2816663

Would that be Pozzovivo by any chance ???


Pity Deignan has contract for another year with SKY ..LOve to see him at this team

gordongekko

MPFGLB wrote: »

Pity Deignan has contract for another year with SKY ..LOve to see him at this team

Has he??

fondriest

Maybe Adam Blythe could end up there if he hasn't found a team yet . English speaking rider losing his job with Tinkoff folding would be a good fit . Igor Anton is also still without a contract afaik .

godtabh

What kind of money would be needed to back a team like this? Based on the names mentioned here I would assume wages would be decent (obiously less than Pro Tour but more than Continental)?

Keeks

Sizeable amount....the bus and truck alone bought second hand amount to half a mil

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/irelands-first-pro-team-buys-worldtour-luxury-coach-and-truck/

RobFowl

There is a minimum wage for pro conti level of 30k a year I think (24K for neo pros) so thats the base. Unusual for wages much higher than 100k for most riders.
Marquee riders often bring sponsorship with them which funds bigger paydeals.

Bear in mind pro cyclists have a relatively short career and the rewards are nowhere near other sports.

Keeks

So even taking the min of 30k per rider with a teamof 16 thats another half mil of investment....and 4 years of that.

And then the support staff.....so it is a sizeable amount

RobFowl

Keeks wrote: »

So even taking the min of 30k per rider with a teamof 16 thats another half mil of investment....and 4 years of that.

And then the support staff.....so it is a sizeable amount

No certainly not cheap, and pretty much as many support staff as riders, then travel, bikes etc....

Big undertaking and best of luck to them.

I hope they do well.

godtabh

I forgot there is a min wage. I doubt the names announced will be on that wage?

Just interesting to see if an Irish based team can attract the sponsors to keep going. I know they have a backer but even still.

Great to see all the same. Will be following them closely as I actually know some of the back room staff.

MPFGLB

Igor Anton is rumoured for Bahrain with Nibali

Only climber left without a contract or even a rumour of one that could be called a marque rider is Pozzovivo


I'd say the budget is 4/5 Million a year. Nordaugh & Irvine, Brammeier and Dunne wages must be 1/2 million alone if not more

MPFGLB

gordongekko wrote: »

Has he??

http://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/Philip_Deignan

1bryan

fondriest wrote: »

Maybe Adam Blythe could end up there if he hasn't found a team yet . English speaking rider losing his job with Tinkoff folding would be a good fit . Igor Anton is also still without a contract afaik .

Blythe is meant to be a difficult sort of chap to get along with. He wouldn't be the most popular out there.

From what I've heard.

RobFowl

1bryan wrote: »

Blythe is meant to be a difficult sort of chap to get along with. He wouldn't be the most popular out there.

From what I've heard.

Good rider though and could win races ....

MPFGLB

RobFowl wrote: »

Good rider though and could win races ....

Blythe is very talented but he is rumoured to be difficult and also he doesnt do training. Some British rider said that on camera at the Tour of Britian this year...Blythe does not win races now as although talented not doing enough training (maybe abit like Goss)

fondriest

From what I hear Blythe has turned things around since he went to Tinkoff , apparently was a bit too fond of the ladies and a few drinks .

odyssey06

fondriest wrote: »

From what I hear Blythe has turned things around since he went to Tinkoff , apparently was a bit too fond of the ladies and a few drinks .

Wait till he sees na cailini and samples the quality of the guinness...

1bryan

it'll be a bit disappointing now if Blythe isn't named

MPFGLB

Koning, Kreder, Gate, Howard, Denifl, Lasse Norman Hansen are AquaBlueSport's latest signings

brocbrocach

MPFGLB wrote: »

Koning, Kreder, Gate, Howard, Denifl, Lasse Norman Hansen are AquaBlueSport's latest signings

Janey mac they're not messing about

brocbrocach

One or two more Irish would be nice. Michael O'Loughlin or someone maybe next year.

1bryan

does anyone know what the plans are for the domestic aquablue team? Does this new team mean the end for them?

Keeks

I think they will continue as an amateur team as before

crashoveroid

1bryan wrote: »

does anyone know what the plans are for the domestic aquablue team? Does this new team mean the end for them?

The team will stay in place for 2017. It will now be know as the TEAM AQUA BLUE ACADEMY.

slow

New signings Blythe, Warbasse, Fenn, Christian, Pearson announced today. The roster is now full. It's a shame that there are only three Irish riders out of sixteen and at 25 years old come January, Conor Dunne is the only Irish 'Development' rider.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/blythe-warbasse-fenn-sign-for-aqua-blue-sport/

MPFGLB

Now they have some very good riders for a pro continential team....

Nordhaug and Blythe in particular are capableof wining big races

Might take some time to get Irish neo pros on board as curent talent have good teams at present

CrowdedHouse

Aqua Blue Kit unveiled

http://www.aquabluesport.com/press-release-4.html

robyntmorton

Not sure if I like the kit, but the design will make them easy to pick out.

MPFGLB

robyntmorton wrote: »

Not sure if I like the kit, but the design will make them easy to pick out.

I like the colour ....not sure about the V but it is unique so easy to spot as you say

cunavalos

MPFGLB wrote: »

I like the colour ....not sure about the V but it is unique so easy to spot as you say

Is it not supposed to be an A

robyntmorton

cunavalos wrote: »

Is it not supposed to be an A

This is the problem with logo designers. Something that works on paper in the full logo doesn't necessarily work on its own elsewhere.