Ireland’s Liam O’Brien of Lidl Trek Future Racing has put in a huge performance on the queen stage at Ronde de l’Isard
Liam O’Brien (Lidl Trek Future Racing) has put in a huge performance on the queen stage of Ronde de l’Isard, one of the hardest and most prestigious U23 stage races on the international scene
The Corkman was among a trio of riders well out front of the rest of the field on the final climb of the day, the summit finish on Col de Pailhères at the end of the 170km stage.
Huw Buck Jones (Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme) was with O’Brien and race leader Niels Driesen (Lotto – Groupe Wanty), with the British rider attacking the Irishman and the Belgian, who won yesterday.
Jones went hard with about 1km to go and managed to gap O’Brien and Driesen, to win the stage, with O’Brien in 2nd place and Driesen 3rd.
It was the second year in succession O’Brien finished 2nd on the queen stage of this race.
He was beaten in a two-up sprint last year at the top of Pla de Soulcem by Colombian Juan Felipe Rodriguez, now to EF Education-EasyPost.
More to come, including about the Irish riders with Velo Performance who are also in this race.
Attaque de Huw Buck Jones! 🇬🇧 This young brit heading to pro circuit with these moves. pic.twitter.com/UrL6TfvDZ2
— Eemeli (@LosBrolin) May 22, 2026