Irish rider Jake Gray finished in 17th place today in the 125-kilometre Challenge du Prince – Trophée de l’Anniversaire (UCI 1.2) in Taroudant in southern Morocco.
It was an impressive result for Gray in one of his first races as a senior, as the line-up included a number of UCI Continental teams including Torku Şekerspor and Nice Pro Cycling Team. Just 21 riders finished the race from a field of 80.
Victory went to Italy’s Umberto Marengo who finished 15″ ahead of Ahmed Amine Galdoune of Morocco with Great Britain’s Charlie Meredith finishing a further 5″ down. Gray finished in a small group, just over five minutes behind the winner.
Today’s race was the fifth in a series of six races in the North African country. The races form part of the UCI African Tour and concludes tomorrow with the Challenge du Prince – Trophée de la Maison Royale (1.2).
Gray, who finished best of the Irish team in last year’s World Junior Road Race Championships in Doha, Qatar will race for VC Toucy in France this season, alongside Meredith, winner of last year’s Junior Tour of Ireland.
