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Irish Success in Australian Track National Championships

ByEmma Porter |

The Irish National Team claimed six medals after a successful participation in the Australian Track National Championships from March 1st-5th.

Following the Adelaide Track Nations Cup last month, the team completed a Brisbane training camp as they tailor preparations for the second round of the Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup in Hong Kong from March 15th-17th.

With the Hong Kong Track Nations Cup round forming an important fixture in Ireland’s calendar as they target Olympic qualification. Irish riders competed across a series of women’s endurance events at the Australian National Championships – including a one-off run in the women’s team pursuit.

Lara Gillespie enjoyed a successful weekend as she swept up gold in the Scratch and Elimination races as well as bronze in the Points race.

In the Individual Pursuit, Kelly Murphy claimed gold after a provisional national record – subject to approval – in qualifying as Mia Griffin claimed silver, Alice Sharpe came fifth and Erin Creighton eighth.

The Women’s Team Pursuit unit of Gillespie, Griffin, Sharpe and Murphy put in a strong performance to earn a time of 4:17.670 and pick up a gold medal. The time sees the quartet come less than a second short of their national record set just over one year ago.

Ireland kick off the Hong Kong Track Nations Cup in the early hours of the morning on Friday, March 15th, with the full schedule to be released in the coming days.

Results

Friday, March 1st  

Scratch Race 

  • Gold – Lara Gillespie
  • 5th – Erin Creighton

Saturday, March 2nd  

Individual Pursuit 

  • Gold – Kelly Murphy
  • Silver – Mia Griffin
  • 5th – Alice Sharpe
  • 8th – Erin Creighton

Sunday, March 3rd  

Women’s Team Pursuit 

  • Gold – Lara Gillespie, Mia Griffin, Alice Sharpe, Kelly Murphy

Monday, March 4th  

Points Race 

  • Bronze – Lara Gillespie
  • 5th – Mia Griffin
  • 8th – Erin Creighton

Tuesday, March 5th  

Elimination Race 

  • Gold – Lara Gillespie
  • 6th – Erin Creighton
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