Waterford teenager David Gaffney has captured a bronze medal at the UEC European Road Cycling Championships in Drôme Ardéche, France.

The 18-year-old from Dungarvan produced a superb performance in the junior men’s road race on Friday, finishing third, just 43 seconds behind German winner Karl Herzog. After moving up through the field on the opening lap, Gaffney maintained a strong pace over the remaining three circuits to complete the 103.4km course in 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 16 seconds.

Earlier in the week, Gaffney placed 11th in the junior men’s individual time trial on Wednesday’s opening day. His Irish teammates Conor Murphy and Matthew Walls finished 48th and 68th respectively in Friday’s race, while Toby Sweetman, fellow Waterford man Hugh Óg Mulhearne, and Rory Condon did not finish.