Former mountain bike rider looking to further his road career
The 24 year old Irish rider Connor McConvey is searching for a new team after his time with the An Post Grant Thornton Sean Kelly setup has drawn to a close.
The Belfast rider is hoping to secure a place with another overseas squad, feeling certain that he has a lot more to contribute to the sport.
“It’s frustrating as I really only got definite word recently that I would have to start looking around,” he told VeloNation. “It’s very late in the year to be in this position and I haven’t had any luck thus far. Most of the teams in Britain are all full up, although I’m hoping that maybe something can come through with Roger Hammond’s new team.
“Ideally I’d get somewhere which could enable me to do some hilly races on the programme. That said, the most important thing is to get a slot somewhere.”
The former mountain bike rider has shown his potential with several decent performances. In 2010 he placed fourth overall in the An Post Rás and was eighth on a stage of the Mi-Août Bretonne. He hoped to build on that but became overtrained, and ended up taking time away from the sport.
He returned with renewed motivation last season and clocked up sixth place in this year’s Irish championships plus seventh in the An Post Rás. However he contracted a virus which held him back in other races. That’s now cured, and he’s keen to pick up a slot for next season.
“I need to keep riding my bike,” he said with determination. “I am not getting any younger and it really has to happen next year. I have already started training for next season, I have got my head down. Ideally I’d like a team that is well organised, well structured and I can turn up and get a good programme. I want to be able to really focus on the races and train around them, as I am a good trainer.”
McConvey spent a lot of energy riding for others on the An Post Grant Thornton Sean Kelly team this year. He’s learned a lot in his time there and is now looking forward to a new beginning elsewhere, determined to make the most of the 2013 season.