Darren Rafferty has finished his first race riding against World Tour riders, with the Irish teenager performing very solidly at Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic (1.1) in the Netherlands.
The 18-year-old had Hagens Berman Axeon team mate Michael Garrison in the five-man breakaway, which was caught in the finale as BikeExchange-Jayco applied the pressure on the front of the bunch in pursuit of the leaders.
That paved the way for a bunch sprint, from 55 riders, won by Dylan Groenewegen (BikeExchange-Jayco) from Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Soudal).
Rafferty finished in the second large group on the road 1:15 down, following a late split in the bunch, placing 65th on the day. There were 111 finishers from 150 starters.
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Megan Armitage (IBCT) rode the women's race yesterday, which was won in a two-up sprint by Gladys Verhulst (Le Col-Wahoo) from Karlijn Swinkels (Jumbo-Visma). Rachele Barbieri (Liv Racing Xstra) won the bunch sprint for 3rd place.
Armitage, who was the only Irish rider in the race, finished in 76th place at 54 seconds, just off the back of the main peloton which was 42 seconds down on the winner.
