France's Aubin Sparfel sprints in ahead of Elliott Rowe of Great Britain to win the penultimate stage of Giro d'Italia Next Gen (Photo: Massimo Paolone)
One of France's next big hopes in the sport, and the winner of today's stage at Giro d'Italia Next Gen, Aubin Sparfel (Decathlon CMA CGM Development Team) has dedicated his win to Shane O'Brien, whose death this week has shocked Irish cycling.
Sparfel won the last mountain stage of the race today, Saturday, from British rider Elliot Rowe (Visma-Lease a Bike Development) and race leader Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe Rookies).
"I saw a few days ago the brother of Liam O'Brien, Shane, passed away out (cycling)," Sparfel said in his post-stage interview, asking the interviewer to continue the interview so he could speak about Shane.
"I was really, really sad about that and this victory is for Liam's brother."
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Liam, who rides for the Lidl Trek Future Racing team, was riding the U23 Giro but left the race to return home when he learned of his younger brother's death.
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Yesterday U23 world champion Finn also dedicated his win to Shane, from Fermoy, Co Cork, who very sadly lost his life while out training last Tuesday near Lismore, Co Waterford.
"Wearing the maglia rosa is an important recognition, and I dedicate this victory to Shane O'Brian, Liam's brother, who passed away a few days ago," Italian rider Finn said.
"I didn't know him well, but it was a tragedy that affected us deeply. Now the goal is to wear this jersey to the end."
Shane, leading, at the recent Course de la Paix Juniors in Czech Republic. His heartbreaking passing has been felt across the cycling community at home and abroad
