Nine Irish riders competed in the UEC Cyclo-cross European Championships on Sunday, November 5th, in Pont-Chateau, France.
Junior, U23, and Elite races were originally pinned to take place across November 4th and 5th, but due to weather conditions on November 4th, all the weekend’s racing took place on Sunday, November 5th, in a jam-packed schedule.
Ireland was represented by three riders in both the junior men, junior women, and U23 men races as a young and exciting group of riders looked to gain experience at the top level among some of the world’s best – with some members of the squad representing Ireland for the first time at a major tournament.
In the junior women’s race, Greta Lawless and Aliyah Rafferty came in at 34th and 36th after battling performances while Aine Doherty finished a few places behind in 44th.
Joseph Mullen and Conor Murphy also fought well in a competitive junior men’s race, finishing 46th and 48th respectively, while David Gaffney lost a lap and finished in 61st place.
In a brutal U23 men’s race won by 2023 Cross Clonmel winner Michels Jente, Dean Harvey finished 41st while Jamie Meehan and Travis Harkness were unfortunately lapped before the finish – taking 43rd and 44th.
2023 UEC Cyclo-cross European Championships Results
Junior Women
- Greta Lawless – 34th
- Aliyah Rafferty – 36th
- Aine Doherty – 44th
Junior Men
- Joseph Mullen – 46th
- Conor Murphy – 48th
- David Gaffney – 61st
U23 Men
- Dean Harvey – 41st
- Jamie Meehan – 43rd
- Travis Harkness – 44th