One day after Martyn Irvine took gold and silver medals at the world track championships in Minsk, Caroline Ryan went agonisingly close to picking up a third medal for the Irish team yesterday evening.

She attacked 12 laps from the end of the women’s scratch race and led for several laps. But Ryan was caught by defending champion Katarzyna Pawlowska (Poland) and then by Sofia Arreola Navarro (Mexico).

She fought to stay in contact but drifted backwards. The Bronze medal just eluded her as she was caught 50m from the line by the chasing bunch, eventually taking seventh.

“Tactically this was a great race for Caroline, with the podium almost within reach,” said her track coach Andy Sparks. “We’re impressed with her improvement. She made the Irish jersey proud.”

Ryan will line out today in the points race, one year after she took an unexpected but well-earned bronze medal. Eoin Mullen will ride in the men’s sprint.