David Gaffney was one of Ireland's strongest juniors last year, given the consistency of his results in hard international races, and he has gotten his 2025 campaign off to a more than solid start in France today.
The 18-year-old, who came up through the ranks in Dungarvan CC on the home scene, was lining out in Mapei Classic in Villemur-sur-Tarn in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France.
The event was won last year by Irish rider Sam Coleman, who has since moved up to the U23 ranks with Israel Premier Tech Development. And no fewer than four Irish juniors were in action today in the French race.
Gaffney (Team 31 Specialized) finished in 12th position, after 96.5km of racing, some 1:26 behind winner, France's Baptiste Durand-Tonnerre (A.S.Villemur U19).
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In a field of 160 riders, 64 were outside the time limit and 29 were listed as non-finisher, though all of the Irish riders involved got a full solid day of racing into their legs and made the cut.
Adam Ward (Academy Région Sud pb Giant) was 30th at 2:49 with Hugh Óg Mulhearne (A.S.Villemur U19) 51st at 3:26 and Darragh Byrne (A.S.Villemur U19) 52nd, also at 3:26.
