Nicolas Roche
Cycling
BIOGRAPHY
Nicolas Roche represented Ireland in four consecutive Olympic Games. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he competed in the men’s road race, finishing 63rd. He finished 89th in the same event at the 2012 London Olympics. During the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Roche achieved his best Olympic result, finishing 29th in the men’s road race. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he completed the men’s road race in 75th place.
Throughout his 17-year professional career, Roche achieved notable successes, including two stage victories in the Vuelta a España (2013 and 2015) and national titles in both the Irish National Road Race Championships (2009, 2016) and the Irish National Time Trial Championships (2007, 2016). He also secured top overall placements in Grand Tours, finishing fifth in the 2013 Vuelta a España and sixth in the 2010 Vuelta a España.
Cycling runs in Roche’s family; he is the son of Stephen Roche, Moscow 1980 Olympian, winner of the 1987 Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and World Championship, and the cousin of fellow professional cyclist and Olympian Dan Martin.
OTHER CYCLING ATHLETES
CYCLING NEWS
PERFORMANCE ROUND UP – May 2026
A Month of Milestones, Momentum and Major Performances Team Ireland athletes delivered a powerful run of results across May and early June, producing historic wins, breakthrough performances and consistent podium finishes on the world stage. From Diamond League history in Shanghai to Nations Cup victory in Italy, and from European medals on the water to [...]
In The News – June 8th 2026
Strong Irish Performances in Rome as English and Healy Impress, Gillespie Makes Cycling History Irish athletes produced a series of standout performances across athletics and cycling this week, with Mark English and Sarah Healy delivering impressive runs at the Rome Diamond League, while Lara Gillespie achieved a historic milestone on the roads of Italy. Mark [...]
IN THE NEWS – JUNE 2ND 2026
In another strong weekend of results, Irish athletes delivered on the world stage. Rowing: Three Medals for Ireland at World Rowing Cup I Rowing Ireland made an impressive start to the international season at World Rowing Cup I, returning from Seville with three medals and a series of strong early‑season performances across the squad. Medal [...]
IN THE NEWS – MAY 25TH 2026
In the News – Team Ireland Round‑Up 25th May 2026 Irish athletes delivered standout performances across multiple sports this week, with personal bests, podium finishes and major milestones on the international stage. Sailing A superb week in Croatia saw Eve McMahon win U23 gold and finish fourth overall at the ILCA European Championships. In the [...]
Dan Kennedy RIP
Today, a man whose guidance helped shape generations of Irish athletes, including several Olympians, was laid to rest. Dan Kennedy, known to most simply as “DK”, was far more than a PE teacher. He was a mentor, innovator, coach and trusted voice whose influence stretched quietly but profoundly across Irish sport for more than five [...]
LA28 Qualification Dates in 2026
ROAD TO LA ALREADY UNDERWAY! 2026 marks the beginning of the qualification journey for many sports as they look ahead to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Qualifying for the Games, which take place from 14–30 July 2028, is challenging across all disciplines. Most sports require either direct qualification through specific events, qualification via [...]