Ireland Kick Off 2023 Road European Championships With Solid Opening Day 


Ryan Mullen in action during the Elite Men's Time Trial (Image: SWPix)


Ireland got their 2023 Road European Championships off to a solid start in Drenthe, Netherlands, on Wednesday, September 20th, as Individual Time Trials took centre stage. 


Across an action-packed day, Junior and U23 riders took on a 20.6km route while Elite riders tackled a slightly longer 29.5km course. A flat course with strong wind becoming a factor, the courses favoured the more powerful riders – particularly in the closing kilometers.  


Ireland enjoyed an encouraging day across the board, including two top ten performances and several positive displays as ten riders took to the start.  


It was an early start for Ireland as three riders took to the start line for the Junior Women’s ITT. Lucy Benezet Minns put in a solid performance to add a 10th place finish to her 4th place finish in last month’s World Championships. 


An encouraging ride from Aine Doherty saw her finish in 33rd while Julia Murphy, making her first performance for Ireland at a major championships, finished in 41st place. 


The Junior Men’s Time Trial followed, with a stellar field at the start line, Adam Rafferty finished 10th among Europe’s best junior riders. Liam O’Brien and Patrick Casey rode well to earn 28th and 38th place finishes respectively. 


In the U23 Men’s Time Trial, Darren Rafferty battled well throughout to earn a 12th place finish in a course that didn’t quite suit his best attributes, with strong winds in the final 5km seeing him lose some time.


Darren Rafferty in action during the U23 Men's Time Trial (Image: SWPix)


An impressive ride from Dean Harvey saw him finish in 13th overall, a positive performance reflecting his recent focus on the discipline while also improving on his 19th place at last month’s World Championships. 


Kelly Murphy put in a strong performance to take a 13th place finish in the Elite Women’s Time Trial. The result comes after her 30th place finish at last month’s World Championships.  


Ryan Mullen rounded out the day with a top 20 finish in the Elite Men’s Time Trial. Mullen put in a strong display to earn a 17th place finish and follow up his 19th place at the World Championships. 


Ireland are back in action on Friday, September 22nd, with the U23 Men’s and Women’s road races seeing several Irish riders in action.  


In the U23 Women’s Road Race (1:30-4:10pm Irish time), Lara Gillespie spearheads an Ireland team also featuring the in-form Caoimhe and Aoife O’Brien. 


Five riders will represent Ireland in the U23 Men’s Road Race (8:30-11:45am Irish time). Darren Rafferty, Dean Harvey, Kevin McCambridge, Odhran Doogan and Jamie Meehan take to the line as the team concludes a strong season following last month’s World Championships and Tour de l’Avenir.  


More information on the upcoming road races is available in our full 2023 Road European Championships preview here. 


Lucy Benezet Minns during the Junior Women's Time Trial (Image: SWPix)


Road European Championships Results – Day One 


Junior Women ITT 

Lucy Benezet Minns – 10th 

Aine Doherty – 33rd 

Julia Murphy – 41st 


Junior Men ITT 

Adam Rafferty – 10th 

Liam O’Brien - 28th 

Patrick Casey – 38th  


U23 Men ITT 

Darren Rafferty – 12th 

Dean Harvey – 13th 


Elite Women ITT 

Kelly Murphy – 13th  


Elite Men ITT 

Ryan Mullen - 17th 


Full results from the 2023 Road European Championships can be found here.