News

In what has already been a highly successful week for Irish cyclists racing at the UCI Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland, the action continued today with the Men’s Under 23 Road Race.

The Irish contingent of Dean Harvey, Jamie Meehan, Liam O’Brien, and Darren Rafferty set out on the 173.6km course.

Rafferty who is racing at World Tour level with EF Education – Easy Post, was the best of the Irish. The reigning Irish Road Race National Champion put in an excellent performance to finish in 12th place, coming home 2:45 behind the winner.

It was a sprint for gold between Nilas Behren for Germany and Martin Svrček for Slovakia, with Behren taking home the rainbow jersey. Alec Segaert completed the podium for Belgium. Thankfully today saw weather conditions improve significantly after a very challenging day of racing yesterday for the junior riders.

The race was always going to be highly competitive with a field of 186 riders all battling it out to come home with a World Championship title. The course, which included five climbs, proved testing, with 80 riders not finishing.

Jamie Meehan finished in 90th, closely followed by Liam O’Brien in 91st and Dean Harvey was 102nd.

Women’s Elite Road Race, including the Women’s Under 23, takes place tomorrow with Fiona Mangan representing Ireland alongside sister Caoimhe O’Brien and Aoife O’Brien.