Lara Gillespie
Irish cyclist Lara Gillespie made the daunting step up to senior racing this year and enjoyed a hugely successful season.
Astonishingly, the UCD Cycling Club rider picked up one gold, one silver and one bronze in her first ever Senior National Track Championships in August.
The Junior World Bronze medalist won gold in the scratch race while she picked up silver in the 3km pursuit and bronze in the sprint final.
A month later, Gillespie was crowned Irish champion after an exhilarating Road National Championship, which saw her come first in a sprint finish at Knockaderry.
Earlier this year, Gillespie set a new Irish National record alongside her teammates as they shaved four seconds off of the previous best, to set a new Team Pursuit record of 4.21.368.
Just last year, the 19-year old became the first Irish person, both male or female, to step on a podium at the Junior Track World Championships.
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