Strong Showing for young Irish riders at Cyclo-cross World Championships
Cycling Ireland Report: 4th Feb

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.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships - Liévin
31 Jan-2 Feb 2025, France

RESULTS SUMMARY

Men Elite
1. VAN DER POEL Mathieu Netherlands 1:02:44 -
2. VAN AERT Wout Belgium +0:45
3. NYS Thibau Belgium +1:06
4. NIEUWENHUIS Joris Netherlands +1:15
5. VERSTRYNGE Emiel Belgium +1:53

Women Elite
1. VAN EMPEL Fem Netherlands 54:29 -
2. BRAND Lucinda Netherlands +0:18
3. PIETERSE Puck Netherlands +1:09
4. VAN DER HEIJDEN Inge Netherlands +1:31
5. VAS Blanka Hungary +1:56

Men Junior
1. AGOSTINACCHIO Mattia Italy 45:47 -
2. BRUYERE JOUMARD Soren France +0:12
3. GRIGOLINI Filippo Italy +0:30
4. NOVAL SUAREZ Benjamin Spain +0:31
5. VANDEN EYNDE Mats Belgium +0:39

19. MURPHY Conor Ireland, Republic of +2:17
45. DALY Ryan Ireland, Republic of +5:35
50. McKEE Curtis Ireland, Republic of +6:12

Women Under 23
1. BACKSTEDT Zoe United Kingdom 45:42
2. SCHREIBER Marie Luxembourg +0:39
3. BENTVELD Leonie Netherlands +1:20
4. GERY Célia France +1:51
5. HOLMGREN Isabella Canada +2:17

35. WONG Esther Ireland, Republic of -1 LAP

Full results available - click here

Four Irish Riders Announced for Cyclo-cross Worlds

Press Release 20 Jan.


Cycling Ireland is proud to announce a team of three males and one female athlete to compete at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Lievin, France.

Esther Wong

Recently crowned National Champion Esther Wong will represent Ireland in the Women’s U23 race. Wong made her debut for Ireland late last year, and has already worn the green jersey at the Cyclo-cross World Cup round in Dublin, where she was the highest Irish finisher, and on the track at the Grenchen Track Classic. Wong had a hard-earned victory in the National Championships at Ballinasloe last weekend, where a tough course and stiff competition pushed her right to the finish line.

Conor Murphy

Having recently defended his Cyclo-cross Junior National Championship title, Conor Murphy will once again represent Ireland in Lievin, riding in the Junior Men’s race. Murphy represented Ireland at last year’s Cyclo-cross World Championships in Czechia, where a mechanical upset his strong start. More recently Murphy has represented Ireland at World Cup level, including finishing top of the Irish riders at the UCI World Cup in Dublin in December, and a very impressive 16th place at the World Cup in Besançon, France.

Curtis McKee

Ryan Daly

Murphy will be joined in the Men’s Junior race by 2025 National Championship second and third place finishers, Curtis McKee and Ryan Daly.

McKee comes into this World Champs having had a strong domestic season, which included taking wins in two rounds of the National Series, as well as winning the Junior race at the UCI C2 event in Clonmel. McKee represented Ireland for the first time at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Dublin in December, the 2024 U16 National Champion will no doubt look to end his Cyclo-cross season on a high in France next week.

First year Junior Ryan Daly rounds out the Irish contingent travelling to Lievin. Daly also made his debut in green at the UCI World Cup in Dublin, but has taken every opportunity to race internationally since, riding at the Cyclo-cross World Cup in Besançon, and putting in solid performances at cyclo-cross races in Diegem and the Baal GP Sven Nys in Belgium over the Christmas period.

Riders will have a bank of experience to pull from as recent Cycling Ireland Hall of Fame inductee, and 18-time Cyclo-cross National Champion Robin Seymour takes the reigns as Team Manager.

Cycling Ireland Off-Road Commission Cyclo-cross Coordinator Tim O’Regan said: “The Cycling Ireland Off Road Commission & Cycling Ireland are delighted to give these riders the opportunity to race at this level at such a young age. As a 2nd year Junior, Conor, we hope will build on last years World Championship experience and push for a result we know he is capable of on the right day. Ryan and Curtis have shown commitment, improvement over the Season and the current form to be competitive as first year juniors.

They should benefit from this experience as second year juniors next season. Esther Wong is in her first year at U23 level and our view is for her to benefit and build to the highest level in the coming years. Much of her racing this Season at UCI level has been in Elite fields and we are excited to see her race in an U23 field which should provide her with greater opportunity.”

Cycling Ireland Head Coach Neill Delahaye said: “While there were certainly some difficult decisions to be made in selecting the team for this years CX Worlds, as a HPU, we are very satisfied in yet another positive collaboration with the ORC and happy to be able to field a competitive team. The team has a lot of potential not just for this event but also for the future and we hope they can not only deliver their best performance for this race but bank the experience as a stepping stone towards future success.

It is a young team that has demonstrated their ability and commitment to the discipline in a number of UCI races this Season to date and also displayed strong current form in the Nationals last week. We wish Tim O’Regan all the best in his recent appointment as the ORC CX Co-Ordinator. He has appointed Robin Seymour and Keith Colville to staff the event so we know the riders are in excellent hands and will be well supported to deliver their best on the day”

All four Irish riders will be in action on Sunday, February 2nd. The Men’s Junior race will take place at 10am Irish time, with the Women’s U23 race following at 12pm Irish time.

A full schedule of events is available - click here