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McCann's plans for 2009 uncertain

published 17 November 2008

By Shane Stokes Currently lying fourth overall in the 2.1-ranked Tour of Hainan in China, a position...

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Although keeping in touch with the leaders all tour (Image credit: Mark Gunter)

By Shane Stokes

Currently lying fourth overall in the 2.1-ranked Tour of Hainan in China, a position matching his final GC placing in the Tour of Qinghai Lake earlier this year, Irish professional David McCann is still deciding his plans for 2009.

The Belfast rider has the option of staying with Giant Asia but told Cyclingnews that he would consider other offers, including those from British teams.

"I'll maybe stay in Giant since it means I can get into races with some serious climbing like Langkawi and Qinghai Lake," he stated. "That said, I have always valued a bit of variety of experience and I am certainly interested in pursuing other avenues or younger teams. I'm doing more coaching when I can fit it in and I'm enjoying showing others how to get the best out of themselves."

McCann considers 2008 to be one of his best seasons to date. Fourth overall, second in the prologue and two other top-ten placings in Qinghai are undoubtedly the highlights, but he has taken several other solid results as well as helping Giant Asia riders to their own victories.

His performances include second on the Genting Highlands stage and tenth overall in the 2.2-ranked Jelajah Malaysia, a stage win and second in the KOM classification in the Tour of Korea, plus a stage win, yellow jersey tenure and second on a stage in the FBD Insurance Rás.

The former Irish time trial champion was more recently sixth in the French Chrono Champenois TT, despite his tyre rubbing during the race against the clock.