Ireland will have a very strong trio of top U23 riders in Giro Next Gen, previously known as the 'Baby Giro', when the race gets underway in Rho, northern Italy, on Sunday.
Though Ben Healy won the final stage of the 2021 edition and Darren Rafferty was 2nd overall in the race two years ago, this year's race is perhaps the first time Ireland has had a group of riders all capable of striking for stage honours and the general classification.
And based on his form this season, Liam O'Brien (Lidl Trek Future Racing) goes into the event, one of the most prestigious U23 stage races in the world, as a genuine contender for overall victory, especially after his recent 2nd place at Ronde de l'Isard.
Another of the Irish riders going to the start line this year, Adam Rafferty of Hagens Berman Jayco, also poses a threat for both a stage win and in the overall. A brother of the aforementioned Darren, he has the TT and climbing abilities that make him a perfect fit for this race.
Advertisement
And though the third Irishman down to start, Seth Dunwoody (Bahrain Victorious Development), is not a climber like his two compatriots, he will be looking to light things up on the sprints. In his first year as an U23, Dunwoody has already taken a big bunch sprint victory this year, on the final stage of Circuit des Ardennes (UCI 2.2).
For Irish cycling fans, the race represents a fantastic chance to keep an eye on the fortunes of our own riders seeing as they pose such a threat across the board; in the sprints, on the climbs and in TT action.
Related News
Giro Next Gen is one of those races where a significant ride can put an U23 rider on the radar or the biggest pro teams in the sport.
The three Irishmen lining up have already come to the attention of those teams, with Rafferty stepping up to the Jayco AlUla line-up earlier this year, the 'parent' team of his US-registered development squad.
In the case of O'Brien and Dunwoody, they too ride for development teams that are feeder squads for World Tour teams; Lidl Trek and Bahrain Victorious. O'Brien gained World Tour selection for his 'parent' team last year and both he and Dunwoody are expected for World Tour call-ups later in the season.
But, for now, the challenge ahead is Giro Next Gen, with all three Irish riders of a level to target wins, rather than simply aiming for strong results.
The race gets underway in Rho on Sunday with a flat 8.4km TT, the first of eight stages. The opening road stage on Monday is lumpy - over 146km from Rho Fiera Milano to Cantù. But there are no major climbs and, depending on how it's raced, there could be a chance for the sprinters.
And then on Tuesday's stage 3 we have the first of the big general classification days as the 144km stage finishes atop the 13.2km HC climb of Passo del Maniva, averaging 6.9 per cent.
