Conroy Victorious in Moorslede as Irish Duo Embrace Flanders Kermesse Scene.
Irish riders Jack Conroy and Josh Callaly of the Velo Performance U23 Development Team have been putting in the hard miles across the Flanders kermesse circuit this summer and early autumn, gaining valuable experience in one of cycling’s toughest finishing schools.
The Belgian kermesse (or kermis) scene remains the traditional proving ground for young riders. These multi-lap circuit races, often held in small towns with the start and finish on the main street amid local festivals, mix road-race distance with criterium intensity.
Fields can swell past 100 riders on narrow, technical roads featuring road furniture, concrete sections, occasional cobbles, crosswinds and relentless attacking.
Races come thick and fast, sometimes two or three times a week, demanding sharp positioning, bike-handling skills and the ability to recover quickly. Generations of Flandriens and WorldTour stars have cut their teeth here, learning the art of reading a race and surviving the chaos.
Dany Blondeel, The Belgian Project
The pathway for young promising Irish riders to their Belgian ‘apprenticeship’ was facilitated over many years by Dany Blondeel, The Belgian Project. It gave dozens of young Irish riders the opportunity to experience racing on the continent.
Callaly was one beneficiary of the project. Another, Curtis Neill, also racing for Velo Performance U23 Development Team, just completed the 2026 Okolo Jiznich Cech where the 20-year-old finished 11th in the U23 Classification.
The legacy of Dany’s work continues to bear fruit with a well-beaten track for other Irish prospects to take up the mantle. Not to mention the support of locals on the ground who are generous with their time and support for their guest riders.
Conroy’s Consistent Campaign and Moorslede Victory
Wicklow’s Jack Conroy has been a regular presence since early July. His standout result came on 14th August with victory in the Moorslede Criterium over 70kms.
Moorslede itself carries deep cycling history. It hosted the 1950 World Championships, won by the legendary Briek Schotte (“Iron Briek”), and past post-Tour criteriums there have been claimed by the likes of Eddy Merckx (multiple times), Felice Gimondi, Roger De Vlaeminck and Freddy Maertens.
“Speechless to have my first win in Belgium.
I can’t thank the people in my corner enough – Martine Verfaillie & Stephan Christiaens.
It’s impossible to do this without you guys. I’m forever grateful.”
– Jack Conroy, Velo Performance U23 Development Team
Other Strong Results for Conroy
- 4th at Sinaai-Waas (13th July, 124.8 km)
- 5th at both Westrozebeke (22nd July) and Moorsele (24th July)
- 7th at Zelzate (31st July)
- 8th at Ruiselede (19th August) and Aarschot (27th August)
- 9th at GP Patrick Lefebre – Roeselare (20th July) and Dadizele (4th August)
- 10th at Lokeren Eksaarde (2nd August)
He also recorded Top-20 finishes at Spiere, Hulste, Veurne and the Omloop Mandel-Leie-Schelde (21st on 29th August). The latter is one of the more prestigious one-day events on the national calendar, dating back to 1945.
Past winners include multiple Tour of Flanders champions Johan Museeuw (three times), Tom Boonen, Peter Van Petegem, Stijn Devolder and Nick Nuyens.
Conroy’s recent form has remained solid: 16th at Veurne, 19th in the Izegem criterium, 20th at Hulste, 34th at Zonnebeke, 39th at Torhout and 59th in the longer Bordes Izegem Koers (175 km).
Recent results
His latest result at the Memorial Briek Schotte (15th September) is impressive given the quality of the field. Conroy finished a strong 25th in a high-calibre elite race packed with professionals, including multiple Tour de France and Grand Tour riders.
He placed ahead of several established names such as Fabio Jakobsen, while the front of the race featured riders like Xandro Meurisse, Anthony Turgis, Edward Planckaert and Jasper De Buyst.
His excellent form continued two days later at Westkerke-Oudenburg (17th September), where Conroy produced another outstanding performance to finish a superb 5th in the 113.6 km elite race. The Wicklow rider crossed the line just 15 seconds behind winner Jani Peiren, placing ahead of a number of experienced Belgian competitors in a strong national-level field.
Callaly Steps into the Fray
Younger teammate Josh Callaly joined the Belgian programme more recently, racing from early September. The 19-year-old has shown promising positioning in the fast-paced fields:
- 6th in the Izegem criterium (4th September, 70 km)
- 14th at Hulste (8th September)
- 29th at Torhout (12th September)
- 70th at Zonnebeke (2nd September)
He finished further back in the tougher Bordes Izegem Koers (153rd). Both riders lined up together in several of these recent events, flying the Velo Performance colours in the heart of Flanders.
Learning the Trade in Belgium
Racing week-in, week-out in Belgium offers a steep learning curve that our Irish domestic calendar couldn’t match. The intensity builds bike-handling, tactical awareness and resilience. These qualities that have long defined successful Irish riders who have ventured to the continent.
Conroy’s victory and consistent top-10s, combined with Callaly’s early Top-10 and Top-15 results, show the pair adapting well to the demanding environment.
As the season winds down, these experiences in the kermesse heartland will stand both riders in good stead for future campaigns, whether back home or further afield on the international calendar.
The Flanders roads continue to forge talent the hard way, with a lot of local and Irish-based Belgian support. Ireland’s latest representatives are embracing the challenge.
