The Pezula Racing team was given new life shortly after it learned that the title sponsor could not fund the team for the rest of the season. David McQuaid, a friend and former team-mate of Pezula rider David O'Loughlin, and the eldest son of UCI president Pat McQuaid has stepped in to support the squad after team owner Declan O'Loughlin stopped funding the squad citing the economic climate in the construction industry.
McQuaid runs DMC Sports Ireland, distributing bikes and components to the cycle trade in Ireland. "The economic climate in the construction industry has meant Declan can not afford to fund the team any further this year," said McQuaid. "However I am delighted to say that nothing will change in the team. We have some super technical sponsors in Terry Dolan and Santini and we have had other offers of support."
The team is currently racing at the Tour of Qinghai Lake, and McQuaid indicated it would continue to operate normally. "Pezula Construction has made a big contribution to the team in the past and we will continue in our current team colours for the forthcoming Tour of Ireland," he said.
"We have restructured team funding with myself and two others chiefly in charge of the team's financing. The two other contributors have chosen to remain anonymous and I will be managing the team and making the key decisions. I have stepped in because not only is it a solid team but my decision also concerns supporting the livelihood of some good friends whom I have raced with since I was 14."
The Pezula team roster includes Cameron Jennings, Kieran Page and Ciarán Power who are all expected to feature in the Tour of Ireland which starts in Dublin on 27th August. David O'Loughlin is one of three Irish riders heading for the Beijing Olympic Games next month.
"It has been a tough start for me with preparation for the Tour of Qinghai Lake dropped on my desk with a week to go," explained McQuaid. "We are now moving ahead with plans for the Tour of Ireland where we will be bringing in two new riders."
