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Irish national champion Nicolas Roche has been awarded the Eurosport Trophy for best young rider of 2009. The Irishman from the Ag2r-Mondiale team was finally rewarded for his aggressive racing that saw him spend countless kilometers off the front. The prize is won by the rider that accumulates the greatest number of kilometers in breakaways, and who obtains the highest final ranking in the Eurosport broadcasted races. Roche topped former Tour de France yellow jersey wearer Romain Feillu from the now defunct Agritubel team. Only French riders or riders racing for French teams are in contention for the prestigious award. The talented Irishman went on to finish 23rd overall in his first Tour de France where he came extremely close to a stage victories landing both a second and fourth place finish. Roche’s Ag2r La Mondiale team expressed their delight through a statement which read: “This trophy rewards the fact that Nicolas Roche has stepped up his attacks throughout the season, and has confirmed the hopes placed in him by Vincent Lavenu.” Roche will continue to ride for the French team in 2010.