Cycling fans enjoyed a thrilling weekend of racing at the Cycling Ireland Track National Championships in Sundrive velodrome where 8 National Champions were crowned, and 2 Irish Records fell.
Kelly Murphy, a Pursuit specialist, battled less than ideal conditions of day 1 of the championship to set a new outdoor Irish Record of 3:48.99 in the Women’s 3k Pursuit during qualification. In the gold medal ride she went event better lowering the record to 3:47.452.
Lara Gillespie claimed silver in her first senior National Championships while Mia Griffin had to go 8 seconds faster that her qualification time to get the better of Autumn Collins who finished just outside the medals in fourth.
The men’s and women’s sprint races were equally as enthralling with a combination of power and wit required to make the medal rides.
In the Women’s Sprint Orla Walsh was the red-hot favourite having set multiple national records during her training for this event. While the conditions on the day were not favourable for setting fast times, there were to be no surprises and she won gold. Deirbhle Ivory beat off some stiff competition to reach the final and finish second while Lara Gillespie would outsprint Nikki Taggart by two rounds to one to claim the bronze medal.
Watch Day 1:
Day 2 of the championships saw medals decided in the women’s 500m TT and women’s scratch races. Orla Walsh set the tone early as she powered around the track to set a new Irish Record of 36.22 in the Women’s 500m TT, taking over a second off the previous mark. With a world class time on the board Orla Walsh was unbeatable.
Deirbhle Ivory finished in the silver medal position with an excellent time of 38.61 and Nikki Taggart 3rd in 38.71.
Fans watching the live stream were treated to nail-biting finish in the women’s scratch race which topped off a fantastic weekend of track racing. Junior World Bronze medallist Lara Gillespie added gold to her collection which included a silver and bronze from Saturday. Mia Griffin pushed Lara very close during the scratch race finishing a half wheel behind in 2nd place. Kelly Murphy was 3rd followed by Autumn Collins in 4th.
Watch Day 2:
Full Results Here.
