One of the most promising Irish riders entering the junior ranks next year, Samuel Coleman of Orchard CC is set to race with a French team in 2023.
Coleman, who has represented Ireland already in the U16 ranks, won the U16 national cyclocross title back in January and also placed 10th in the road race at the European Youth Olympics this year in Slovakia. He won the U15 Irish road race title last year and placed 2nd in the U16 Irish criterium championships this year.
Next season he will follow in the footsteps of Darren Rafferty and his brother Adam Rafferty when he rides for Team 31 Jollycycles U19 based in Toulouse.
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Darren Rafferty enjoyed a dominant run with the team in 2021 and won a series of races which caught the eye of Hagens Berman Axeon, which snapped him up for his debut season in the U23 ranks this year. Adam Rafferty also spent part of the 2022 season with the team and took some very strong results, which should set him up nicely for his second year in the junior ranks next year.
Coleman should have a very tidy programme with Team 31 Jollycycles U19 in 2023 as they ride a mix of regional and national events, including numerous junior stage races, and the French Cup.
The 16-year-old has already enjoyed success in the just-begun 2022-23 domestic cyclocross season having won the elite race at GP Brian Kinning in Belfast last month.
