Ireland’s under-23 contingent delivered mixed but promising individual time trial efforts at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal before turning their focus to the road race.
Men’s U23 Individual Time Trial
Adam Rafferty produced a composed ride to finish 10th over the 31.3km course in 38:23.05, just 56.89 seconds behind winner Ryan Gal of the Netherlands. Another strong result against the clock for the Hagens Berman Jayco rider and matched his top-ten finish from Zürich two years earlier.
Seth Dunwoody crashed early, was forced onto his road bike, and finished 56th after battling through. The 2026 Irish National Champion had already overcome injury doubts just to reach the start line.
Men’s U23 Road Race
Seth Dunwoody (Bib 106), Bahrain Victorious Development Team, arrives as the 2026 Irish Men’s Elite and U23 Road Race National Champion. The powerful 20-year-old from Armagh claimed the title in a sprint finish in Mayo and has shown Classics pedigree with second places at Paris–Roubaix Espoirs and Gent–Wevelgem Beloften earlier in the season.
Stage wins at the Giro Next Gen and Circuit des Ardennes in previous campaigns underline his versatility. He is set to step up to the Bahrain Victorious WorldTour team in 2027.
Adam Rafferty (Bib 109), also with Hagens Berman Jayco, has enjoyed an excellent season against the clock and on stage races.
The 20-year-old from Dungannon added another Irish U23 ITT title, finished second on the final ITT stage of the Giro Next Gen while placing seventh overall, and took second overall at the Peace Race.
His consistent form and technical ability make him a key rider for Ireland on the selective Montréal circuit.
Liam O’Brien (Bib 108), Lidl-Trek Future Racing, is a pure climber who has produced standout results in the mountains. The 21-year-old from Fermoy finished fourth overall and won the mountains classification at the Ronde de l’Isard, took third on a mountain stage of the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d’Aosta, and has shown strong form in other hilly stage races.
He has signed a three-year professional contract with Pinarello Q36.5 for 2027. His season has been marked by remarkable resilience following the tragic loss of his younger brother Shane earlier in the year. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
David Gaffney (Bib 107), Rafferty’s teammate at Hagens Berman Jayco, and youngest of the 4, is in his first full U23 season after an outstanding junior career. The 19-year-old from Dungarvan claimed bronze in the junior men’s road race at the 2025 European Championships, Ireland’s first road race medal at the event, and has adapted well to the higher level with solid showings in early-season races.
Looking ahead to the Men’s U23 Road Race today (Friday 25 September 09:00 local / 14:00 Irish time), the riders face 174.2km with approximately 3,500m of climbing on the demanding Mount Royal circuit (13 laps of the 13.4km loop featuring the Voie Camillien-Houde climb). A hilly, selective course for the strong climbers and punchy all-rounders.
Pre-race favourites include riders such as France’s Aubin Sparfel (fresh from a high-level win at GP de Wallonie), Belgium’s Matisse Van Kerckhove, Germany’s Max Bock, with riders from other ‘big nations’ sure to play a role in the shake up for medals.
Irish chances:
Again with four riders in a field of around 176, a realistic target is for the best-placed Irish rider to finish in the top 40–50 much like our Juniors. A top-30 result would be an ambitious but achievable goal on this selective course, which would sit nicely alongside Eddie Dunbar‘s 20th place in 2018.
With a wealth of ‘big nation’ talent in the race and Ireland’s recent U23 Worlds history, anything inside the top 20 would be an exceptional ride.
Wishing all four riders the very best of luck. Like all riders, a proud moment for them individually, and for their families and supporters as they pull on the green jersey to represent Ireland. Go n-éirí go geal leo!
