Eleven Irish cyclists pursue Olympic qualification points in Guadeloupe

Eleven Irish riders, including 2013 world scratch race champion Martyn Irvine and 2012 points race bronze medallist Caroline Ryan, got their campaigns under way this week at the European Elite track championships in Guadeloupe. All are cycling for points that will count towards Olympic qualification.

Ryan, Lydia Boylan, Lauren Creamer and Melanie Spath formed the women’s individual pursuit team, which finished eighth on Wednesday’s opening day, clocking a time of 4 minutes 55.221 seconds over the four-kilometre distance.

Guaranteed points

The quartet were due to go up against Lithuania in the ride-off for 7th and 8th position last night. Whatever the final result, they are guaranteed qualification points towards Rio 2016.

Irvine, Ryan Mullen, Cormac Clarke and Javan Nulty competed in the men's team pursuit on Wednesday evening. They were on course for a sixth-place finish in the qualification, but crashed on the finishing straight and lost out.

None of the riders were badly hurt, and Irvine and Nulty were due to compete in the men’s scratch race late last night. Creamer and Boylan were due to ride the women’s points race, with this event also coming after midnight Irish time.

The programme continues today for Irvine, who begins the multi-event omnium competition; and Eoin Mullen, who is doing the sprint. Ireland will likely have entrants in the women’s scratch race and the men’s points race, with the line-up yet to be confirmed.

The competition continues over the weekend, with Ryan and Irvine competing in omnium events; Mullen doing the men’s keirin and sprint; Shannon McCurley riding the women’s keirin; and another rider from the team potentially doing the women’s individual pursuit.

Improved chances

Ireland’s chances in high-level track competitions have improved recently. The successes of Irvine and Ryan have helped motivate others, while strong coaching by Brian Nugent and others have brought more riders through.

Ireland still doesn’t have an indoor velodrome, making it essential for riders to spend long periods of time abroad preparing for major events.

A project to put a velodrome in Dundalk, Co Louth stalled due to various complications; those behind the project had called on Cycling Ireland to get behind the initiative, but the federation is trying to ensure a velodrome is built at Abbotstown, Dublin.

In the meantime, Irish riders must continue to train abroad and work towards what they hope will be strong Olympic qualifications.