Rally Cycling has signed former national under-23 road champ Keegan Swirbul to a two-year contract. The signing comes after an impressive debut in September’s GP Vedras and Volta a Portugal.
The 25-year-old from Colorado was initially brought in as a trainee but quickly proved himself invaluable, earning himself a roster spot after 12 days of racing with the team. Swirbul is known in the peloton as an easy-going, hard-working, and talented climber.
“I’m really excited to be joining Rally Cycling,” said Swirbul. “They have fantastic management, are moving up the ranks, and I’m ready for the challenge.”
Swirbul first went pro in 2014 with the Bissell Development Team but faced setbacks due to injury early in his career. After a successful comeback in 2019 that included second overall at the Tour de Langkawi, Swirbul aims to take his cycling career to the next level.
“Early in my career, I faced a lot of obstacles,” said Swirbul. “I’m grateful for my health and this opportunity with the team. I’m going to give it everything I have.”
Swirbul hopes he can take his cycling career to the next level with Rally in 2021.
“I’m really looking forward to being based in Europe full-time and racing a complete road program,” said Swirbul. “The timing feels right in my career to make some big steps.”
Men’s team director Patrick McCarty was familiar with Swirbul from the domestic racing scene where he competed for Floyd’s Pro Cycling and Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis. After giving Swirbul an opportunity to compete with the team in Portugal, it was clear that he had what it takes to be successful overseas.
“Keegan had been on our radar for a few years so we jumped at the chance to give him a trainee role in Portugal,” said McCarty. “ We’ve known him to be a huge climbing talent and quickly saw that he could adapt and race well in Europe.”
McCarty expects Swirbul to easily integrate into the team’s ranks and join its strong stable of climbing talent.
“He’s an essential piece to our North American identity and we’re expecting big things from him over the next few seasons,” added McCarty.
