"I can't believe that I pulled it off" - Gaffney

When 18-year-old David Gaffney crossed the finish line at the UEC European Road Cycling Championships in France, he could barely take in what had just happened.

The teenager from Dungarvan had produced the ride of his life to claim a bronze medal in the junior men’s road race — a result that left him almost speechless.

“If you told me that going out, I just wouldn’t believe you,” he told WLR. “I just can’t believe I was able to pull it off. It was well above the expectations I had going into it.” The Irish rider had already enjoyed a strong start to the championships earlier in the week. In Wednesday’s individual time trial, he finished 11th — a result that boosted his confidence heading into the road race. “I was delighted to get 11th,” he recalled. 

“Even whatever way the road race turned out, I was just happy with that. And then we also picked up a silver with Conor Murphy for Ireland, and Adam Rafferty got third in the under-23s, so it was just a brilliant overall week for Ireland.” Ireland’s success across multiple categories gave the whole team a lift, and for Gaffney, it became the springboard for something special. As the peloton lined up for the start of the 103.4-kilometre road race, he tried to keep things simple.

“When it started, I was kind of hoping for a top ten or something even better if I could,” he said. “But I just felt really good on the day. On the last lap, I said I’m just going to give it a go — whatever happens, happens.” It proved to be a decisive call.

“Coming to the top of the last climb, I still had about 30 seconds on the lads behind,” he remembered. “People were shouting at me, saying, ‘You’re only 40 seconds off first!’ instead of giving me the gap behind. I was thinking in my head, no way I’ve actually pulled this off.” After two hours, forty-five minutes and sixteen seconds of racing, he crossed the line in third — securing a European medal that will take pride of place in Irish cycling history.

“Crossing the line, I was just absolutely delighted,” he said. “I didn’t even feel tired — I was just so excited. Seeing the whole team after, it was just a surreal experience.” His parents were there to witness it all.

“Yeah, my mum and dad were there, so it was really nice to see them with the support,” he said. “And my two sisters were supporting me at home as well. It was just really nice.” For Gaffney, the moment was the culmination of a journey that began more than a decade ago.

“I first started mainly cycling when I was about eleven, kind of racing and stuff,” he explained. “But I used to do triathlons from when I was six or seven. I was doing swimming, cycling and running, and I just really fell in love with cycling from then. I kept going with it over the years and didn’t expect to be at this level now.” This year has already marked a major life transition for the young rider. Having just finished sixth year, he’s decided to dedicate the next few years entirely to cycling.

“It was a slow start to the summer,” he laughed, “but now I’m in full focus for cycling. I’ll give college a bit of a miss for a few years and just see where this takes me.” It’s now been confirmed that David will ride with Hagens Berman Jayco next season — one of the world’s top under-23 development teams. The squad, registered in the US but primarily racing in Europe, is led by Axel Merckx, the son of cycling legend Eddy Merckx, and has helped launch the careers of several top professionals. Asked about his ambitions, his eyes are set firmly on the biggest stage.

“Maybe one day be in the Tour de France,” he said. “Or improve on my third place at a major championship and maybe come home with either rainbow stripes or the European stars.” His achievement in France has added to a growing wave of Irish cycling success in recent years.

“We have a very strong youth coming up through Ireland,” he said. “Hopefully, we can even improve on the brilliant results Ireland has had in the past few years.” Among those inspiring him is fellow Irish star Ben Healy, who finished third in the elite men’s World Championships this season. “Ben Healy would be a hero of mine,” Gaffney said. 

“I saw his third place at the worlds and thought that could be me someday. I didn’t expect it actually to be me the week later in the Europeans.” Gaffney describes himself primarily as a road racer, though he’s equally comfortable against the clock. “My main goal would probably be the road, but I do like time trials also,” he explained. 

“I’m still kind of improving on it, but yeah, I’d say road racing would be my main one.” Despite the physical toll of the European Championships, he’s still feeling good. “I didn’t feel any pain until the next day,” he laughed. 

“But I was so tired when I woke up the morning after. I still have one more race for the season, then I can take a little break for a while and reset for the new year.” 

That final race — a time trial back in France on October 19 — will round off what has been a breakthrough season for the Dungarvan teenager. Before then, though, there’ll be time for a few well-earned celebrations at home. “Hopefully, I get to meet all the friends and family and just celebrate for a few days,” he said. “Then knuckle down again for the last race.” 

Even now, a few days after returning from France, the scale of it all still hasn’t fully sunk in. “Coming across the line, I just couldn’t believe what had happened,” he said. “Even now, it still doesn’t feel real.” 

Representing Ireland on an international stage is something Gaffney doesn’t take lightly. “Even just representing my country is brilliant,” he said. “But to be able to pull off a result for the team after all the sacrifice — it’s just beautiful.” 

For a young man who started pedalling around Dungarvan as a child, the European bronze feels like both a reward and a beginning. “It really is the product of years of hard work,” he reflected. “Getting to travel the world, meet new people, and just race — it’s such a cool experience at a young age. I’m just grateful for it.” And as he prepared to board his flight home, the medal packed safely away, the new European medallist allowed himself a moment to reflect. “It’s been unbelievable,” he told WLR. “Hopefully, this is just the start.”