Dungarvan’s own David Gaffney has been making big waves on the cycling scene this year — and his latest success has just confirmed his place among Europe’s best young riders.

The 18-year-old had already done enough across the season to secure a contract for 2026, but his bronze medal at the European Junior Road Race Championships in France really underlined his class.

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 racing mainly in Europe, is led by Axel Merckx, son of cycling legend Eddy Merckx, and has helped launch the careers of several top pros.

Another Irish rider, Adam Rafferty, who took bronze in the under-23 time trial at the same championships, has been racing with the team for the past two years.

At the European Championships in Drôme Ardéche, France, David produced a brilliant ride in the junior men’s road race on Friday, October 3rd, finishing third — just 43 seconds behind German winner Karl Herzog. After moving steadily through the field early on, the Dungarvan teenager held a strong pace over the remaining three laps of the 103.4km course, finishing in a time of 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 16 seconds.

Earlier that week, on October 1st, he also impressed in the junior men’s time trial, taking 11th place against some of Europe’s best.

It’s been a fantastic year for the young Waterford rider — and with a contract at one of the world’s top development teams, it looks like this is only the beginning for David Gaffney.