Strong Showing for young Irish riders at Cyclo-cross World Championships


Irish riders Conor Murphy and Esther Wong put in strong performances at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Liévin, France, gaining valuable experience on the world stage.


Murphy secured an impressive 19th-place finish in the junior men’s race despite an early setback. A crash at the start of the race delayed him, but he fought his way through the field to finish inside the top 20. His performance highlights the continued progress of Irish cyclocross and the depth of emerging talent in the sport.


Ryan Daly and Curtis McKee, who finished second and third behind Murphy at last month’s National Cyclocross Championships, also gained valuable experience, with Daly placing 45th and McKee finishing 50th after being caught in the crash at the start.


In the U23 women’s race, Wong made her World Championships debut in the green of Ireland, finishing in 35th place. A first-year U23 rider, she showed resilience on the challenging 2.8km course, battling through tough conditions that combined frost, mud, steep inclines, and tricky descents.


Wong, who has also competed in UCI World Cup races in recent months, continues to develop as a top prospect for Ireland in cyclocross, road, and track racing. Her performance at the World Championships marks an important step forward in her cycling career, as she gains experience at the highest level.


The Irish team’s strong showing in France demonstrates the growing strength of cyclocross in Ireland, with promising riders making their mark on the international stage.


Full results available here.