The future is bright for Irish cycling, our Espoirs (U23’s) are feared in Europe with Lara Gillespie (UAE) winning 2 gold medals at the 2023 European Track Champs in Anadia, Portugal, and Darren Rafferty (Hagens-Berman-Axeon) winning the 59th Giro Ciclistico Valle D’Aosta / Mont Blanc (Italy) and securing a contract with UCI world tour team EF Pro Cycling-Easy Post!!!

Photos taken from website CI and Darren’s social media, and Sean Rowe, with thanks

CI reported: “Lara Gillespie Strikes Gold Again As She’s Crowned Double U23 European Champion“

“Lara Gillespie has struck gold once again as she was crowned U23 Omnium European Champion on Saturday, July 15th. Competing at the U23 Track European Championships in Anadia, Portugal, Gillespie followed up her brilliant points race win on Friday to become European champion in the U23 Women’s Omnium. The Enniskerry rider, who also won the elite and U23 women’s races at the 2023 Road National Championships last month, sealed an Omnium victory with a strong showing in the points race after wins in the tempo and elimination races earlier in the day.” Here Lara to be seen below with Paul Watson (UCI Commissaire President at a European Championship) 2 different moments of her amazing performances in Portugal…so well done Lara xx

Darren has what it takes to become a established rider in the Pro peloton, top TT skills (Irish Champ 23) politeness, want to learn, feared climber and panache…his media skills are also welcomed as always time for a chat…as his siblings a credit to his parents too…so proud of you Darren and so well done…here below the news of his new employer in 2024 EF-Education Pro Cycling team >> (Photo Sean Rowe)

Join us in welcoming Darren Rafferty! ????????
Yesterday, he won one of cycling’s most prestigious U-23 races and today we are proud to announce that he will be joining our team starting in 2024.
“EF is the team I believe will give me the most opportunities,” Darren says. “It is a great team with a nice atmosphere and an attacking team that suits my style of racing and how I want to race. I really like how Ben Healy has always been able to race with the team and that was one of the influences of seeing how I could maybe race a calendar that was more open and show what I can do. It was an easy choice in the end.”
We can’t wait to grow alongside you.
More: https://efprocycling.com/…/darren-rafferty-joins-ef…/

The talent factory called Rafferty’s and Island Wheelers…they just keep on winning…the future for Ulster and Irish racing is certainly bright!! (Photo Dany BP Media)