SEAN KELLY TEAM TO CONTINUE

Team manager Kurt Bogaerts is expected to confirm tomorrow (Wednesday) the name of the new sponsor of the Sean Kelly team, making it official that the squad will continue in 2008.

This year’s backers Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group had indicated earlier this season that they were ending their sponsorship, and while Bogaerts expressed confidence at the world championships that a replacement would be found, weeks passed without any announcement that one had been secured.

However he confirmed to Irishcycling.com today that the Irish-registered, Belgium-based UCI Continental team had reached agreement with a new backer. More details about this are expected on Wednesday when an announcement is made.

The team is based in the Sean Kelly Racing Academy in Merchtem, Belgium, and has primarily acted as a development team for young Irish and international cyclists. The riders competed in a number of high-level events in 2007, including the Tour of Qatar and the 2.1 ranked Tour of Ireland.

Bogaerts has confirmed that at least four Irishmen will be with the team this coming season, plus several riders from further afield.

More details will follow on www.Irishcycling.com.