Adam Rafferty was among a new wave of young Irish riders to really shine in 2023 and now the Co Tyrone teenager has secured a major reward for his efforts; a place on the Hagens Berman Axeon Continental team for next year.
Rafferty's brother, Darren, has spent two years with the team, regarded as one of the best development squads in the world for U23s, and is moving on to the World Tour with EF Education-EasyPost for 2024. But just as he leaves the set-up, his younger brother is following in his footsteps into the Axel Merckx-run team.
News of 18-year-old Rafferty's move, for what will be his first season at U23 level, comes on the same day another Rafferty sibling, Aliyah (15), has been signed by a UK trade team for her first season in the junior ranks next year.
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New kit day in coming weeks will be a busy one in the Rafferty household, with the trio all having secured very valuable opportunities to further develop their talents in the year ahead.
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Adam Rafferty has excelled this season at home and abroad, especially against the watch. He won the Irish junior TT title on the same day his brother won the U23 crown. Those National Road Championships were promoted this year by Island Wheelers, the club the three siblings started their careers with.
Earlier in the year Adam won the TT stage in French stage race, Tour du Pays d'Olliergues, back in May as well as taking 6th overall. He followed that up two weeks later with 8th in the TT and 9th overall in Tour de Gironde International (2.1) and then 8th in the TT stage at the Nations Cup race, Trophée Centre Morbihan, also in May.
In June he placed 6th in the TT in another Nations Cup junior stage race; LVM Saarland Trofeo in Germany. That was followed by two wins in quick succession; the Irish junior TT title and Tour du Carmausin Ségala in France. He then placed 9th in the junior TT at the World Road Championships in Scotland and won the TT stage and the overall at Tour Causses Aigoual Cévennes & Pays de Sommières.
On the home scene, he took impressive wins this year with long-range attacks in the Lakeland GP - where he went on a 100km solo move - and the Blair International Red Hand Trophy.
More to come.
