Multiple Irish champion aiming to continue in the sport after Champion System’s dissolution
Irish road race champion Matt Brammeier has been left in a nervous position by the collapse of his Champion System team, but appears to be inching closer to securing a deal for the 2014 season.
The Belgium-based rider – who was born in England but who declared for Ireland several years ago – has won the past four editions of the Irish road championships, as well as one time trial title. He has become synonymous with the distinctive shamrock jersey but there was a risk that the colours could have been absent from the peloton next year if he wasn’t able to find a deal.
The search for places has become more difficult this year due to the collapse of many squads, including the WorldTour teams Vacansoleil DCM and Euskaltel Euskadi.
Brammeier appears at Cycling Ireland’s 25th anniversary awards dinner on Saturday night and said there that he hoped to have a contract in his pocket in the coming days.
“I am just trying to finalise things. I think it should be sorted towards the end of next week,” he stated.
Brammeier didn’t elaborate on details of the squad concerned but one team has confirmed to VeloNation that it wants him on board.
He was previously part of the An Post Sean Kelly team in 2009 and 2010, then spent one year with HTC Highroad, Omega Pharma Quick Step and Champion System teams.
Two of the latter three squads have folded while he has been on board, making for a frustrating time for him. He’s hoping to have greater contract security in the future and also to deliver on a potential which has previously been hinted at by national championship wins ahead of successful riders such as Nicolas Roche and Philip Deignan.