Sport

Ards rider Martyn Irvine wins gold at UCI Track Cycling World Cup

Rider beats Olympic Omnium champion Lasse Norma Hansen of Denmark

Martyn Irvine (left) of Ireland with Andreas Muller of Austria after the Men’s Scratch Race on day three of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at Manchester Velodrome yesterday. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Martyn Irvine (left) of Ireland with Andreas Muller of Austria after the Men’s Scratch Race on day three of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at Manchester Velodrome yesterday. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Shane Stokes
Mon Nov 04 2013 - 10:23

Irish world scratch race champion Martyn Irvine was back to winning ways at the weekend, taking the points race at the Manchester World Cup with a powerful ride during the race and a strong sprint to the finish line. The Ards rider took a total of 20 points, beating Danish runner-up Lasse Norma Hansen, the Olympic Omnium champion, by three.

“I rode smart for the first half of the race, I didn’t want to race too much, but then I started to use my head,” he said.

“I looked around and other guys were grimacing more than me. I rolled off the front and got in the groove. A Spanish guy came across to me and we committed. It was all or nothing.”

Irvine was also seventh in the individual pursuit while Caroline Ryan was fifth in the women's race.
SHANE STOKES

Shane Stokes

Shane Stokes

Shane Stokes is a contributor to The Irish Times writing about cycling