New name, familiar goals for Barry's boys

THE number one ranked team in Ireland from 2011, namely The Edge Racing, will operate under a new name for the forthcoming season after Dan Morrissey/ Speedy Spokes cycles announced yesterday that they would co-sponsor the team.

Led by former Irish international Timmy Barry, the team is amongst the strongest in the country and backed that up by claiming the biggest one-day and multi-stage races this year.

On the domestic front, they reclaimed the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan through Sean Lacey and the same rider also won the All-Ireland Classic League.

Barry won the Shay Elliott while the squad notched the overall team award in the An Post Rás in May.

The team have enhanced their fearsome reputation in the past month with the addition of former An Post professional Páidí O’Brien, while youngster Stephen Clancy won the best Irish-based rider for 2011. The team will again target the big domestic events but will also sample some racing on the continent and in the UK.

“It’s an exciting time for the team,” admitted Barry yesterday. “We have a good squad put together and we’re looking forward to the new season. Competition for places in the team will be strong and that will bring everyone on. We’ll target the same races we won this year and the key thing for us is to work as a team to try and achieve results.”

Along with the above, Cervélo Bikes, Kinetica Nutrition, No. 35 restaurant Kenmare and Cork Coffee Roasters have come on board as sponsors.