Irish Pro Cycling Photo Gallery

Matt Brammeier (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) keeps close tabs on world champion Mark Cavendish (Team Sky) during the final stage of the Tour of Qatar.

Matt Brammeier (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) leads the peloton before a vital split on stage four from Dukhan to the Al Gharafa Stadium.

Ireland's David McCann (centre) leads his RTS Racing Team in the stage two team time trial.

Irish TT champion Matt Brammeier puts the firepower into the Omega Pharma-Quickstep team during the stage 3 team time trial.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) on the podium after winning stage 3.

Two Irishmen at the top of the sport in Beijing - UCI President Pat McQuaid congratulates Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) on winning his first Pro Tour race.

Nicolas Roche celebrates his first Pro Tour win by sprinting to victory in stage 3 from Men Tou Gou to Yong Ning Town.

Dan Martin (Ireland) leads a counter-attack as the peloton work to close down a seven-man break during lap 14.

David McCann's at full speed during the Elite Men's TT in Copenhagen where he finished 27th.

David McCann on his way to finishing 27th in the Elite Men's TT in Copenhagen.

Ireland U23 time trial champion Sean Downey on his way to placing 25th in Copenhagen.

Ireland's Felix English takes a corner in the U23 Men's TT in Copenhagen.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) leads the break on stage 20 from Bilbao to Victoria.

Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervelo) sweats it out on the El Vivero as the Vuelta a Espana completes the last lap of a 31.6 kilometre circuit around Bilbao.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) reflects and recovers after an attack on the hors category Pena Cabarga saw him claim 4th place on stage 17.

Dan Martin locks his sights on a stage win after attacking the pelton five kilometres from the summit of the Pena Cabarga.

Nicolas Roche recovers from his effort on the Pena Cabarga. The AG2R La Mondiale rider finished 17th to move up to 17th in GC.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) gives it everything on the Pena Cabarga.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) grits his teeth as he maintains his attack on the Alto de L'Angliru.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) attacks on the Alto de L'Angliru as stage 15 enters the final 7 kilometres

Nicolas Roche pushes himself to the limit as the gradient tips 23% on the stage 15 finishing climb of the Alto de L'Angliru.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) leads the break and teamate and leader of the mountains classification Matteo Montaguti on the Alto O'Pico Da Pena during stage 13.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) fights to stay in contention having lost contact with the favourites inside the last 800 metres of stage 11 to the summit finish at Estacion de Montana Mazaneda.

Mountains classificaion leader Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) attacks with 3kms to the summit finish on stage 11 to Estacion de Montana Mazaneda.

Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervelo) attacks from the chase group of race favourites on the stage 11 summit finish at the Alto de  Manzaneda

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) on stage 10.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) on his way to finishing 36th in the 47 kilometre stage 10 TT around Salamanca.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) celebrates his first Grand Tour stage win by sprinting clear of an elite group at the summit of La Covatilla.

Cousins Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) and Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) light it up with an attack inside the closing five kilometres of the stage 9 summit finish to La Covatilla.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) launches his stage winning attack with Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) quick to get on his week on stage 10 form Villacastin to Sierra de Bejar La Covatilla.

Best All Round rider Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) digs deep to stay in contention on the 23% gradient finishing climb on stage 5 to Valdepenas de Jaen.

Dan Martin wearing the white jersey as Best All Round Rider descends off the Alto de Valdepenas on stage 5.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) in action on his way to finishing 8th on stage 5 to Valdepenas de Jaen.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) on his way to finishing third on the stage 4 summit finish at Sierra Nevada.

Dan Martin adapts to the 37 degree temperatues during the 163 kilometre stage 3 from Petrer to Totana.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) takes encouragement from an Irish supporter during the 42.5 kilometre stage 20 individual time trial in Grenoble.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) grinding it out on stage 19 to Alpe d Huez.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) digging deep to hold onto third place as stage 18 winds its way over the summit finish on the Col du Galibier.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) leads the break over the Col d'Izoard on stage 18 from Pinerolo to the highest ever finish on the Col du Galibier.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) on the finishing climb to Pinerolo on stage 17 from Gap.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) tried twice to escape in breakaways during stage 16 to Gap

Nicolas Roche had a tough day on stage 14 to Plateau de Beille losing 6'47". Check out the two AG2R La Mondiale fans on the roadside.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) on his way to breaking into the Tour's top ten overall on the stage 12 summit finish to Luz-Ardiden

Nicolas Roche battle through a rain soaked stage 11 from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur to preseve his 13th place in the GC.

AG2R La Mondiale team leader Nicolas Roche hits top speed on the descent off the Cote de Mirandol Bourgnounac on stage 10 from Aurillac - Carmaux.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) keeps warm during the early part of stage 7 to Chateauroux.

AG2R La Mondiale leader Nicolas Roche zips up as the rain hits the peloton on the 226.5km stage from Dinan to Lisieux.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) keeps a vigilant eye on proceedings during stage 5 from Carhaix to Cap Frehel.

Matt Brammeier beats Dan Martin by a fraction to retain the Irish National Road Race Champion's title after 175 kilometres of racing in Scotstown, Co. Monaghan. Photo credit: Rory Geary.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) sprints to victory at the Giro di Toscana.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) battles his way up the stage six finishing climb to Le Collet d'Allevard.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) makes his way to the stage 5 finishing climb at Les Gets where he placed 8th.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) descends during stage 5 from La MOtte-Servolex to Macon.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) descends during stage 5 from La MOtte-Servolex to Macon.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) during the stage 3 Grenoble ITT.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) corners on his way to the climb of the Cote de la Croix-Rousse on stage 2 from Voiron to Lyon.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) digs in to limit his losses to 54 seconds on the stage one category two finishing climb to Saint Pierre de Chartreuse.

Dan Martin (Garmin Cervelo) and Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) catch up during stage one from Albertville to Saint Pierre de Chartreuse.

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) on his way to placing 23rd in the closing time-trial in Milan.

The An Post Sean Kelly team celebrate overall victory in the An Post Rás by drowning team manager Kurt Bogaerts in champagne.

Gediminas Bagdonas celebrates overall victory in the An Post Rás at the end of stage end from Kildare to Skerries. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan)

Race leader Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly) in full flight during stage 8 from Kildare to Skerries. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Mark McNally and Mark Cassidy from the An Post Sean Kelly team lead the peloton on the final stage from Kildare to Skerries. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

David McCann (Asia Giant Kenda Cycling) celebrates back-to-back stage wins for his team on the final stage on the An Post Rás from Kildare to Skerries. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

An Post Rás leader Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly) during stage 7 from Tramore to Kildare. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) makes his way up the finishing climb to Sestriere on the 242 kilometres penultimate stage from Vebania.

Irish rider Martyn Irvine (Asia Giant Kenda) wins stage 7 of the An Post Rás. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Martyn Irvine (Giant Kenda Cycling) delivers the eagerly awaited Irish win on stage 7 of the An Post Rás into Kildare. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Sam Bennett (An Post Sean Kelly) during stage 6 from Blarney to Tramore.

Race leader Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly) presents his stage 6 bouquet to budding cyclist Joley Power from Tramore. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly) keeps a close eye on his rivals during stage 6 from Blarney to Tramore.

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) launches an attack which ignites the 151 kilometre stage 18 from Morbegno to San Pellegrino Terme.

An Post Rás leader Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly) during stage 5 from Castletownbere to Blarney. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

An Post Rás leader Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly) takes pride of place in the centre of the peloton on stage 5 as the race makes its way to Blarney. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Mark McNally and Mark Cassidy (An Post Sean Kelly) move to the head of the peloton during stage 5 from Castletownbere to Blarney. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Sam Bennett sets a ferocious pace to keep the An Post Sean Kelly team in contention during stage 5 from Castletownbere to Blarney. Photo credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

An Post Rás leader Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly Team) celebrates winning the mountainous stage 4 which came down to a sprint finish in Castletownbere. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorrained O'Sullivan). 

Mark Cassidy (An Post Sean Kelly) refuels during stage 4 from Castleisland to Castletownbere. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

An Post Sean Kelly rider Mark McNally climbs Molls Gap during the 142 kilometre stage 4 from Castleisland to Castletownbere. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Mark Cassidy (An Post Sean Kelly) leads his team on the way to Ladies View during stage 4 from Castleisland to Castletownbere. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Team Radioshack's Philip Deignan on his way to placing 41st on the stage 16 mountain time-trial from Belluno to Nevegal.

Gediminas Bagdonas drives the An Post Sean Kelly team on his way to his way to claiming the race during stage 3 from Kilrush to Castleisland. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

An Post Sean Kelly rider Gediminas Bagdonas on his way to the yellow jersey of race leader on stage 3 from Kilrush to Castleisland. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan)

Joint race leader Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly) gives his Dolan bike a final checkover before starting stage 3 from Kilrush to Castleisland. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Mark Cassidy (An Post Sean Kelly) corners in the bunch during stage two from Portumna to Kilrush. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly) outsprints a four man break to take stage two in Kilrush. Photo Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Ronan McLoughlin (An Post Sean Kelly) makes life tough at the head on the bunch on stage one to Galway. Credit: INPHO (Lorraine O'Sullivan).

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) grids his way up the finishing climb at Gardeccia - Val di Fassa to finish 14th on stage 15.

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) leads the 18 man escape group on the queen stage from Conegliano to Gardeccia-Val di Fassa.

Philip Deignan collects a rain cape from the Team Radioshack car during stage 14 from Lienz to Monte Zoncolan.

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) on the final inclines of stage 13 from Spilimbergo to Grossglockner.

Philip Deignan takes a back seat to Tiago Machado after pacing the Radioshack team leader to the finish of stage 9 on Mount Etna.

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) takes his turn to fetch bottles during the 214 kilometre stage from Sapri to Tropea.

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) on the final descent off the Madonna delle Grazie during stage 3 from Reggio Emilia to Rapallo.

Philip Deignan (Team Radioshack) makes the cut in the front group on his way to finishing 23rd on the Mur de Huy.

Philip Deignan (Radioshack) corners on the run into the finish in Valkenberg

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) eyes the next corner near the end of the 27km time-trial from Rognes to Aix-en-Provence.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) during stage 4 from Creches-sur-Saone to Belleville

Mark Cassidy (An Post Sean Kelly) the five-man breakaway that he instigated on stage 2 from The Wave, Muscat to Al Wutaya.

An Post Sean Kelly Team sprinter Sam Bennett in full flight at the Tour of Qatar

Gediminas Bagdonas (An Post Sean Kelly Team) attacks with Team Sky's Russell Downing as the peloton splits into echelons on stage 3 from Al Walkra - Mesaieed.

Niko Eeckhout (An Post Sean Kelly), centre, plays his part in the  five-man 127 kilometre break during stage 2 from the Camel Race Track to the Doha Golf Club

An Post Sean Kelly rider Mark Cassidy in action.

Kevin Claeys (An Post Sean Kelly) during the Doha prologue

Mark McNally (An Post Sean Kelly) in the Doha prologue

Matt Brammeier (HTC-Highroad) powers his way over the cobbles to place 10th in the 2 kilometre prologue.

Philip Deignan makes his first appearance in the 2011 Team Radioshack kit.

Ireland's Nicolas Roche digs deep on the punishing climb of The Ridge.

Irish rider Matt Brammeier leads the five man break he instigated on the finishing circuit climb of The Ridge in Geelong, Australia.

David McCann in action on the course in Geelong, Australia on his way to finishing 25th.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) chases hard on the Bola del Mundo with Peter Velits (HTC Columbia), Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) and Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) for company.

An attack from Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) puts Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) and Peter Velits (HTC Columbia) under pressure in the final kilometre of the climb to Bola del Mundo during stage 20.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) at full tilt in the 46 kilometre stage 17 individual time trial in Penafiel.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) leads Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) as a chase group of twenty riders nears the climb of the Cotobello on stage 16.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) positions himself at the foot of the Lagos de Cavadonga climb in the company of (l-r) Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) and Peter Velits (HTC Columbia).

Carlos Sastre (Cervelo Test Team) hangs on as Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) leads the chase group on stage 15 to Lagos de Covadonga.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) leaves nothing behind at the summit of Pena Cabarga where he placed 5th to move to 5th overall.

Nicolas Roche positions himself at the start of the first category Pena Cabarga on his way to finishing 5th on the stage and moving to 5th overall.

AG2R La Mondiale team leader Nicolas Roche climbs to 8th place in the Vuelta GC on the 20 per cent gradient of Xorret de Cati.

Philip Deignan (Cervelo Test Team) carries the weight of half a dozen water bottles up the Alto de Tudons during stage 9 to Alcoy.

Philip Deignan (Cervelo Test Team) attempts a new record for the number of water bottles he can carry during stage 9 from Calpe to Alcoy.

Philip Deignan leads the Cervelo Test Team in driving the peloton over the second category Puerto de las Carrasqueta in pursuit of a five man break containing stage 8 winner David Moncoutie (Confidis).

Cervelo Test Team rider Philip Deignan fuels up with bananas during stage seven to Murcia.

Philip Deignan (Cervelo Test Team) shares a laugh with his mechanic after a puncture on stage 6 to Murcia.

Philip Deignan (Cervelo Test Team) and Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) share a joke during stage five to Lorca.

AG2R La Mondiale team leader Nicolas Roche sits comfortably on the decisive climb of the Puerto de Valdepenas during stage 4.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) shows the pain of fighting to finish 8th on stage 4 to Valdepenas de Jaen where he overcame gradients of 25% to jump to 11th in the GC.

Dan Martin (Garmin Transitions) celebrates his win in the Tre Valli Varesine after breaking clear on the finishing climb.

Dan Martin (Garmin Transitions) celebrates his win in the Tre Valli Varesine after breaking clear on the finishing climb.

Dan Martin (Garmin-Transitions) solos to victory and into the race leader's yellow jersey on the mountain top finish in Ustron.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) in full flight during the stage 19 Bordeaux to Pauillac individual time trial.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) digs in near the summit of the Col du Tourmalet on the wheel of Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Farnese-Vini) to finish 12th on the stage 17.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Monidale) settling into the Col du Soulor on his way to moving up to 15th in GC on stage 17 to the Col du Tourmalet

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) climbs his way back into the group led by Alberto Contador on the Col d'Aspin

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) digs deep to finish 31 seconds behind stage 12 winner Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) in Mende.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) fights to the finish to limit his losses after stage nine's Col de Madeleine

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) and Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) corner at speed while descending the Col des Saisies in during stage 9 to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) works hard to limit his losses to 2:18 on stage 9 to Morzine-Avoriaz

Nicolas Roche gives chase on the cobbles on his way to finishing 12th on stage 3 to Arenberg Porte-du-Hainaut

Nicolas Roche in full flight during the Tour de France prologue time trial

Nicolas Roche on his way to finishing 47th in the Rotterdam prologue 49 seconds behind winner Fabian Cancellara

Philip Deignan (Cervelo Test Team) lead the 13 man break over the first category Oberalppass on the queen stage of the Tour de Suisse.

Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) on the hors category climb on the Albulapass on his way to finishing 20th on the the queen stage of the Tour de Suisse