After having four successful years with the Lotto Belisol U23 team, Dan McLay signed for French Pro Continental team Bretagne-Seche Environnement. The 22-year-old New Zealand-born Brit won a stage of this year’s Tour de l’Avenir.

However, despite his success, McLay wasn’t sure if he would receive a professional contract, telling Cycling Weekly “a lot of teams wait to decide their squad, there were a few nerve-wracking moments. But I kept telling myself that all I can do is win the races that I ride.”

“I’d spoken to other teams but these were the first team to who wanted to sign me straight away,” he revealed.

“It all came about quickly. The first contact was three weeks ago and it has gone from there.”

“I don’t know much about their reasoning for signing me but I have ridden my biggest races and victories in France so that’s probably played a part.”

McLay will likely base himself in Spain or France but it is in the early season Belgian Classics where he sets his first big goal for his neo-pro year.

“They’re keen on riding more Classics in Belgium which appeals to me. I’d like to ride as many Classics as possible but beyond that it’s hard to say what my programme will be because it depends on how I ride and how strong the other riders ride.”

“It’s an interesting team and I know I will get my chance with them. They will probably get a wildcard for next year’s Tour again, fingers crossed.”

“I always begin the season strongly and when you have a good start you become more focused for the second half of the season.”