Drapac Professional Cycling announces its 2016 rider signings, bringing increased experience and rider depth to the long-standing program.

Nathan Earle transfers over after two years with Team Sky. The Tasmanian World Tour rider is keen to race with an Australian Team. Career highlights for Earle include wins at Tour of Taiwan, Tour of Japan and New Zealand Cycling Classic.

“It’s great to have Nathan Earle on board, I think that he has masses of untapped potential and he seems as motivated as a neo, even after a couple of years in Europe. I believe we can give him opportunities in some top quality racing in 2016, and we will see him rise to the challenge. ,” Tom Southam, Sports Director said.

“I am excited to get 2016 underway with Drapac Cycling, a team I have always followed with interest. It will be a great team environment for me with a good core group of guys and some familiar faces, which I believe will only benefit my performance. Being a Tasmanian, it is great to be back on home soil, to be riding for an Australian team and still have the opportunity to race around the world,” Earle said.

Gavin Mannion joins Drapac Professional Cycling as the first American to ride for the squad. Mannion finished 4th in the General Classification at this year’s USA Pro Challenge and 3rd in the General Classification at Tour of the Gila. Mannion spent the 2015 season riding with Jelly Belly presented by Maxxis.

“Gavin Mannion is a rider that we have been following for a long time. He pulled out some great rides at the back end of the year and his talents will be a major boost to the team in 2016,” Southam added.

“I am looking forward to the new setting and my new teammates. Moving to the Pro Conti level is the next step up for me and I am honored move up with the professional environment and support structure of Drapac. Adapting to the new team, racing a much longer and more demanding calendar across the world will be the main challenges for me and I am up for them. I have always gotten along well with Australia teammates and directors in the past and feel Australians have a similar mentality to myself so I look forward to the year ahead,” Mannion said.

These two riders join Dutch strongman Jens Mouris and young Australian Jason Lowndes showcasing the enhanced versatility of the Drapac program.

“We have brought together a strong and increasingly diverse roster for 2016, which we believe will continue the growth and results in our race program,” Jonathan Breekveldt, General Manager said. “Drapac Professional Cycling has developed a strong productive program over the last decade and we look to our third season as a professional continental team with enthusiasm.”

Drapac Professional Cycling has applied for a UCI Professional Continental License for the third year and will look to open the 2016 season in Australia at the Australian National Championships.

The team is currently racing in Abu Dhabi Tour, then heads to Hong Kong Cyclothon and closes out the season at Tour of Hainan. Tour of Hainan will showcase young talent Brad Evans who steps on to the Tour of Hainan roster from Pat’s Veg Cycling.

“I am very excited to be riding with Drapac Professional Cycling as a trainee. I have had a good year for the teams development programme Pat’s Veg with three NRS stage wins and strong consistency across the season. It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to race with a professional team as renowned as Drapac. I look forward to proving my abilities at the next level. Racing the Tour of Hainan is a massive opportunity. I’m keen to learn and soak up advice from the seasoned professionals in the team like Graeme Brown,” Evans said.