Jamie Meehan, Ireland’s U23 men’s road race champion, is on the move to the World Tour ranks after an amazing season in 2025

Jamie Meehan, the Irish U23 road race champion, has secured a stagiarie with the Cofidis World Tour team. The Donegal rider, who has had a huge season so far this year, will race for the French team for the rest of the season.

He stepped up to UCI Continental level for the first time in 2025 and has been competing with France’s AVC Aix Provence Dole. Meehan (21) has climbed especially well this year, including taking 6th overall in Giro Ciclistico della Valle d’Aosta-Mont Blanc (2.2U), which finished just yesterday.

The Irish rider is one of three cyclists who have been awarded a stagiare by Cofidis, which effectively means they will be given a trial for the remainder of the season. Meehan is joined by French rider Leandre Huck (VC Rouen), a 24-year-old who only took up cycling aged 18 years, and Italy’s Tommaso Dati, a 23-year-old riding with Biesse-Carrera-Premac this year.

Jean-Michel Bourgoin of AVC Aix Provence Dole, who has been working with Meehan this season, praised his climbing abilities, saying his team’s close relationship with Cofidis had helped the Irishman secure his new deal.

“Jamie is a very good climber,” Bourgoin said. “He’s a young rider who is particularly determined. He wants to become a professional and we can see that he’s doing everything he can to achieve it.

“In recent months, he has achieved several excellent results, such as his 6th place in the Tour du Valle d’Aosta. I’m very happy to know that he will continue to progress at Cofidis.

“Our ties with Cofidis are strong, as are those of Christophe Laporte and Anthony Pérez. We are very proud to continue working with Cofidis with peace of mind.”

In a statement, Cofidis said of the three new stagiaire signings: “Three young riders. Three nationalities. And three different profiles. The Cofidis team is proud to welcome these new trainees into its ranks starting August 1st.

“They include Irish man Jamie Meehan, renowned for his climbing skills; Italian Tommaso Dati, particularly at home in classic-style races; the Frenchman Léandre Huck, who impressed with his long break away at the French amateur championships. They are all eager to discover the professional world under the Cofidis colours.”