Cyclist Yon Hin goes professional
By Thomas Conway
For the past several years, Nenagh’s Daniel Yon Hin’s cycling career has been on a steady upward trajectory.
Last week, however, his gradual progression up the ranks reached a new milestone in the form of a first professional contract.
The 23 year-old rider will pedal for the 7-Eleven CliQQ Roadbike Philippines team over the course of the 2026 season, opening up a new chapter in his racing career.
In a statement released on Facebook, the Lucan-born Nenagh man expressed his delight at the development, saying that it was something he had been working towards since he first began racing.
The journey to get to this point “hasn’t always been straightforward,” he emphasised, but every setback has pushed him “to grow stronger.”
Always a talented underage cyclist, Yon Hin caught his first break in August 2021, signing for Zappi Racing, a semi-professional outfit based in the Italian city of Cesena, near the border with San Marino. After two years spent spinning up and down the Dolomites he made the move to Alpine territory, signing for Arbo Miko, another semi-pro team dedicated to the progression of younger riders.
His time as a fledgling cyclist in Europe has now come to an end. Yon Hin’s move to Roadbike Philippines is a significant elevation.
He is now a full-time professional, competing in the third tier of professional road cycling. As he said himself, he will now be getting paid to do what he loves - ride his bike.
But with the extra money will come increased racing and training intensity, greater media scrutiny, and more responsibility.
Alongside this, Yon Hin will undergo a significant lifestyle change. As the name suggests, Roadbike Philippines are based in the Philippines - near the city of Tarlac, to be precise.
In a couple of weeks’ time, the former Glenstal Abbey student will pack his bags and set off for the southeast Asian archipelago country (population 115 million).
From there he and his teammates will compete in races across Asia, on the continental tour. He’ll be traversing an entirely different cultural and geographical landscape, visiting countries like Thailand and Taiwan.
Although Europe is generally considered the heart of the cycling world, the sport is gaining in popularity across the east. It may well be the perfect arena in which Yon Hin can cut his teeth as an emerging young pro.
It’s also worth noting that the Nenagh man’s ancestral roots lie in China. He is therefore well equipped to embrace life in that part of the world.
In his statement, Yon Hin said he was looking forward to “living in Asia full-time,” which, he said, has been “a goal of his in recent times.”
His long-term goal, undoubtedly, is to join the professional pelotons of Europe. This is a major stepping stone.