Darren Rafferty fights hard for Ireland in classic World Champs race | Video

Darren Rafferty fought and fought in the green of Ireland at the World Championships today, with all Irish riders finishing (Photo: Sean Rowe)

Darren Rafferty may have looked like he was coming under pressure with over an hour remaining in the U23 men's race at the UCI World Road Championships in Zurich today but the Irish rider never gave up the fight.

On a day when all the Irish team were among the finishers, Rafferty led the Irish charge. And though he was just a notch below the strongest six to eight riders on the day, he showed he is among that group of world class U23s on a brutally tough day in Switzerland.

The constant climbs and descents, on a technical circuit, meant there was never any rest, with the race run off in very wet conditions.

Rafferty was still in the select leading group as the race entered the third lap, of four, on the circuit and as riders continued to be spat out the back, the green jersey was ever-present.

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It wasn't until the penultimate lap, when the big show really started, that he showed signs he was getting it rough; distanced on the main climb of the course only to battle his way back on.

Next time around, on the final lap, the lead group numbered no more than 15, as it chased lone leader Jan Christen of host nation Switzerland. And though the group would catch the young Swiss rider, Rafferty was among those who was just tailed off the back on the toughest section of climbing.

Up front, after an enthralling finale, Niklas Behrens (Germany) and Martin Svrček (Slovakia) managed to get clear in the closing stages and went on to fight it out for gold; the German winning it from last year's bronze medal winner.

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Just 28 seconds back, Alec Segaert (Belgium), came through for the bronze after being dropped on the last lap, just after Rafferty, but fighting his way back on and then attacking the group for the last medal. Christen was a further 11 seconds back in 4th place.

Rafferty placed 12th, at 2:48, after a battling performance. Jamie Meehan and Liam O'Brien were 90th and 91st, both at 20:24, while Dean Harvey was 102nd at 33:16.

More to come.

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