Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team officially announces today the signing of Liam O'Brien, who will join the Team starting January 1st, 2027 with a three-year contract valid until the end of 2029.

The twenty-one-year-old Irish rider comes from Lidl-Trek Future Racing, taking another step forward in his development after three seasons in the WorldTour team's development structure. An excellent climber with a marked aptitude for stage racing, O'Brien has established himself as one of Ireland's most promising young cyclists. His signing represents a further long-term investment by Pinarello Q36.5 in young talents with the potential to reach the highest levels.

Liam O'Brien stated: "Becoming a professional cyclist is a childhood dream come true. I've learned so much over the last three years, both as a rider and as a person, and I feel ready for this next step. From the first conversations with Douglas and the other managers, I immediately felt a connection with the Team and a truly positive environment. This was important to me. I want to continue growing, learning from the people around me, and contributing to the Team from day one. I consider myself a strong climber and a rider who improves as the difficulty of stage races increases. I love the hardest days and want to continue developing in this direction, while also becoming a reference point for the Team in the mountains."

O'Brien will join a high-performance team built around Pinarello Q36.5's "Factory Team" model, working closely with the Team's technical partners on the development of equipment, apparel, and nutrition. "This was another exciting aspect of joining the Team. I'm very interested in equipment and performance, and having the opportunity to work closely with Pinarello, Q36.5, and Amacx is special. The Team is focused on getting the most out of every detail and promoting innovation, and that really appeals to me."

Douglas Ryder, Team Principal, added: "What struck us about Liam wasn't just his results, but also his character. He's a young rider with his feet on the ground, a genuine love for this sport, a strong work ethic, and a genuine curiosity to learn and improve every day. At just 21 years old, he has already proven he can handle climbs and the challenges of stage racing, but we believe he has only just begun to show his full potential. Our job now is to provide him with the support, guidance, and opportunities necessary to continue his growth at the professional level."

He continued: "He joins a team with experienced riders like Eddie Dunbar, who can help him through this transition, but ultimately Liam has earned this opportunity through his talent, dedication, and attitude. We're excited to welcome him to the team and to see where his journey takes him in the coming years."

For O'Brien, this new chapter also carries a deeply personal significance. His younger brother Shane, himself a talented cyclist, passed away in June following a training accident. Liam wanted Shane to remain part of this moment and the journey ahead. "It's an important part of my journey and always will be. Tom Pidcock was his idol, so he'll definitely be happy that I'm joining the team."

O'Brien will also have his Cork teammate Eddie Dunbar by his side as he transitions to professional cycling. "Having Eddie on the team will be really fantastic. He's achieved great success in this sport, and having another Irish rider, especially from Cork, will help me through this transition. I want to integrate well, learn, and give my best for the team."