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Kelly Murphy and Mia Griffin Secure Results in Top Ten at UEC Track

ByEmma Porter |

Kelly Murphy has finished 7th in the individual pursuit as young Erin Creighton made her elite debut for Ireland at the European Track Championships in Grenchen on Saturday.

Murphy covered the 3000m distance in a time of 3:28.632 posting the 7th quickest. In her final event of the championships, Murphy produced an impressive time to finish in 7th place in a strong field. Murphy was part of the team pursuit squad that broke the national record on Thursday.

Erin Creighton was also in action competing in the individual pursuit, making her elite debut for Ireland. The 18-year-old clocked a time of 3:41.185 finishing in 14th place, gaining valuable experience competing in her first Elite European Championships.

Orla Walsh was first up to race in the morning competing in the Women’s 500m time trial qualifying and set a time of 35.032 seconds, finishing in 17th place but missing out on qualification for the final. Walsh will now switch her attention to her final event of the championships, the Keirin, which takes place on Sunday.

Top 10 Finish For Mia Griffin In The Points Race

Mia Griffin battled to a in 9th place finish in the women’s points race while JB Murphy finished in 14th place in the Omnium on day four of the UEC Track European Championships in Grenchen, Switzerland on Saturday, February 11th.

Griffin was very active early in the race as she kept to the front of the bunch winning crucial points in the opening sprints.

The Irish rider secured three points in the opening sprint and a single point in the second sprint but was unable to add any more points to her tally ultimately finishing in 9th place.

JB Murphy Finishes 14th In The Omnium

JB Murphy took on a world class field in the Omnium competing across four events throughout the day – a scratch race, tempo race, elimination race and points race.

Murphy started his day with a 16th place finish in the scratch race as he turned his focus to the tempo race looking to gain some key points.

With one point on offer for the rider who crosses the finish line first on each lap, Murphy secured an early sprint point before he launched a smart attack where he won 11 consecutive sprint points and a lap gain to add a further 20 points. Murphy finished top of the rankings in the tempo race with 32 points.

Heading into the elimination race, Murphy sat on 50 points and 8th place in the overall standings – 20 points from the leader.

The Kildare native had an earlier exit from the elimination race finishing in 20th place leaving him on 52 points in 13th place in the standings heading into the deciding points race.

Murphy had a strong start to the points race picking up two points in the opening sprint but was unable to add anymore and finished in 14th place overall on 54 points.

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