New programme planned for Navigators in 2006

By Shane Stokes

Navigators Insurance directeur sportif Ed Beamon spoke to Cyclingnews before the Tour of Britain race start in Glasgow this morning, confirming that the team will continue its European campaign next season. "We are definitely planning on doing a programme of races over here," he said. "The plan is to do a little less in the spring and then do another block in the autumn. The budget will increase slightly for 2006 in line in order to cover the increased costs we will have in running the team."

Although Beamon isn't ready to announce the team composition for next year, he says that there will be changes in the line-up "A few new faces are coming into the squad while some others will be leaving. We are holding on to the two Irish riders, Ciarán Power and David O'Loughlin. David's ridden well in his first year with the team, while Ciarán has been struggling a bit with a leg problem. He's seeing a specialist about it after this race and once he gets it treated, he should be raring to go." Power finished 13th in the Olympic road race last season but has been hampered by the injury since then.

Beamon is one of the fitter directeurs sportifs on the pro circuit and rode the Glasgow Grand Prix last night. "It was a bit of a blast," he said.