Conor Murphy (U19 Academy Région Sud powered by Giant) has taken a very aggressive approach to his latest UCI-ranked races with his team Italy.
The Irish junior, who won Eroica Juniores-Coppa Andrea Meneghelli (1.1) last season, was one of the main animators of both Trofeo Emozione (1.1) yesterday and Coppa Montes Gran Premio della Resistenza (1.1) on Friday.
Though his attacks were brought back, often by the well-drilled teams in the races, Murphy has very much put himself on the map with those teams looking for top junior riders for their U23 squads next season.
Yesterday, in the 137km Trofeo Emozione (1.1), which featured 1,400m of elevation gain, Murphy tried repeatedly. Though his attacks were brought back, he finished in the bunch, in 45th.
That bunch - led home for victory by Alessio Magagnotti (Autozai-Contri) - numbered just 58 riders, from a start list of 150.
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"I had a good day, I just attacked on the gravel sectors and went for it. But it's very hard riding against Auto Eder, they're very organised," he explained of Team GRENKE-Auto Eder, the junior feeder team for Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe.
"They brought us back every time we went up the road and got a gap. I just rode in in the bunch; not a result to talk about. But I'm happy with the way I'm riding at the minute, so hopefully something good can come of it in the next few races."
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During Friday's 116km Coppa Montes Gran Premio della Resistenza (1.1), Murphy again finished in a reduced bunch, of 35 riders. It finished three seconds down on race winner Davide Frigo (Team Tiepolo Udine Cycling ASD).
Though 32nd was a solid result, from a start list of 160 riders, Murphy's contribution to the race, and the level of aggression he was able to bring to the contest, was more impressive than his finishing position.
"I went 40k in, it might have been a bit early, but I got a good gap. It came back and then I attacked again and I was away until just under 20k to go. At one point we had about 1:50," he said.
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