Archie Ryan has put in a dominant climbing display to win his final race as a Jumbo Visma Development rider, Coppa Citta’ Di San Daniele, UCI-ranked 1.2 race in Italy. His compatriot, Darren Rafferty (Hagens Berman Axeon), was also in the thick of the action at the end of the 161km race and placed 4th.
That was a very strong performance by the two Irish riders deep into the late season races. Ronan O'Connor (Team Colpack Ballan CSB), another U23 Irish rider now really emerging in Italy, was 24th; a strong ride from a start list of 130 on such a hard race.
At the front, Ryan really turned it on for victory, looking as impressive as he did when he won a stage at Tour de l'Avenir earlier this year; climbing brilliantly and taking the race by the scruff of the neck from a long way out.
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Today, Ryan (21) made the lead group of 12 riders in the hilly course and when the final began - with two ascents of the Monte di Ragogna climb - Ryan came to the fore.
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Initially his two team mates - Tijmen Graat and Darren van Bekkum - got clear of the front group, with one of the Q36.5 Continental Team riders and opened a gap on the nine-man chasing group during the second passage of Monte di Ragogna.
However, as they rode up the climb, Ryan attacked from behind and got across to them. The moment he caught the leading trio he went to the front and within about 500m he was at the front of the race solo.
First the Q36.5 Continental Team rider was dropped, followed by Ryan's own team mates Graat and van Bekkum.
However, while the Irish rider crested the climb solo, Graat was not too far behind and managed to close up to Ryan. The duo rode together for the last 3km, with Ryan doing most of the work -especially when the road kicked up.
They came over the line celebrating a team 1-2, with Ryan taking the victory today from Graat. Their team mate, van Bekkum, was just behind, taking 3rd, while Ireland's Rafferty was 4th.
