From the time he turned a pedal in anger in the junior peloton in France the summer before last, Darren Rafferty looked like he had the potential to make it into the pro ranks. However, over the past 18 months - after moving up to U23 level - the Co Tyrone teenager has had the air of a man who can have a big impact, winning races, when he inevitably moves up to World Tour level.
And today on the Baby Giro, on the 176km road to Pian del Cansiglio, the rise of the 19-year-old has continued unabated. With just one stage remaining on what is regarded as the U23 Giro d'Italia, Rafferty is set for a great result even though he and the other riders at the front of this field were really tested today.
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Some of those who had threatened Rafferty (Hagens Berman Axeon) in the hunt for the final podium fell away somewhat today while others made a charge and improved their positions on the three back-to-back climbs - including a summit finish - in the final.
However, as all around them were dropping back or moving forward, race leader Johannes Staune-Mittet (Jumbo-Visma Development Team), from Norway, and Ireland's Rafferty were the only two riders in the top 10 to hang on to the positions, 1st and 2nd, they held at the start of today.
Staune-Mittet gained a little more time on his Irish rival today and now leads Rafferty by 47 seconds, rather than the 19 seconds he had on him this morning - some of that due to a time bonus for 2nd on the stage. However, while the Norwegian rider looks the strongest in the race, and is on course to take a deserved overall win tomorrow, Rafferty has been next in line, with his climbing, TT riding and consistency across all seven stages so far.
However, while Staune-Mittet has looked very impressive, he was unable to stop Rafferty's team mate, Jan Christen, winning the stage today. The first-year U23 Swiss rider was in a breakaway up the road that was being hunted down by the select group on the last of the three climbs in the finale. And though Staune-Mittet attacked the other favourites on the final climb in a bid to catch those ahead, Christen also attacked up front and rode solo to victory.
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On the finish line he had 13 seconds on Staune-Mittet, with stage 2 winner Gil Gelders (Soudal-QuickStep Devo Team) 3rd at 15 seconds while Luca Cretti (Team Colpack Ballan) was 4th at 21 seconds.
Christen, Gelders and Crettti had formed a three-man breakaway early in the stage and rode a great race to survive. Christen was not caught and won the day while Gelders and Cretti were only caught and passed by one man; race leader Staune-Mittet.
And then behind the top four, just seconds back, came the three-man remains of the select group, including Ireland's Rafferty. German rider Hannes Wilksch (Tudor Pro Cycling Team U23) was best of that trio, placing 5th at 27 seconds.
Just five seconds behind him came Colombian Germán Dario Gómez (GW Shimano-Sidermec), at 32 seconds and then Rafferty, 7th on the stage at 35 seconds. After the Irishman there was a gap of 1:04 back to the next man on the road, stage 1 winner and former race leader Alec Segaert (Lotto Dstny).
Today's result meant Rafferty not only held his 2nd place overall, but he once again proved one of the best climbers in the race. He was still in the select group on the final climb to the finish line when it was trimmed back to just four riders.
And while Staune-Mittet attacked that small group, and got away from them, as he went off in pursuit of the three-man breakaway up the road, Rafferty had again shown his world class climbing prowess. The race concludes tomorrow with at 131km stage from Tavagnacco to Trieste. And while there are two climbs, including one crested just 10km from the finish, the hard mountains are now behind the riders.
