With Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche's participation in the Olympic Games now concluded after last Saturday's road race, Ireland's third and final competitor is readying herself for her own race.
On Saturday Australian-born Irishwoman Shannon McCurley will make her Games debut in the velodrome. She secured qualification for the Keirin event after a long campaign. The Keirin is run off behind a gradually accelerating motorbike, which brings the riders up to high speeds before pulling over and letting them sprint it out.
Six riders
The heats begin at approximately 2 pm Irish time and the best of those will qualify for the next round. Those who miss out will also aim to go through via the repechages. The final will feature six riders bidding for three medals.
After spending five weeks at a training camp in Portugal, McCurley has been tapering since arriving in Rio. She's been concentrating on short, sharp efforts rather than any longer distance work and is psyched to get started.
“The atmosphere is crazy. I can’t get over how big it is here,” she said. “When I first arrived I was shocked to realise there are actually sports other than cycling, and so many countries, athletes and staff here. It truly is a village!
Original target
“I can’t wait to race. I just want to be out there. . . I just want to race and do my best.”
She stated in the build up to the Games that Tokyo 2020 was her original target but, having qualified for the Olympics four years earlier than that, will use this opportunity to build as much experience as possible.
Meanwhile two of Ireland's male professionals have been competing in the Arctic Race of Norway. The first stage of the race was held yesterday and won by home rider Alexander Kristoff (Katusha). Sam Bennett rode his first race since finishing the Tour de France and rolled in 40 seconds back in 95th place.
The stage featured a first category climb which made things difficult for some of the sprinters. Bennett won a stage last year and will aim to do the same again this time around.
Matt Brammeier also competed, carrying out team work for his Dimension Data squad.
