2025 Track European Championships Preview
The Irish national team are aiming to hit the new year running as an exciting selection competes in the 2025 UEC Track European Championships, taking place from February 12th to 16th in Zolder, Belgium.
Six riders will represent Ireland in the Women's Endurance events, with the team selection featuring a mix of experienced competitors and emerging talent.
Lara Gillespie will look to build on her strong performances in 2024, which included an impressive Olympic campaign and a Bronze medal at the UCI Track World Championships. Gillespie has an impressive track record at the European level, with multiple medals in past U23 Championships, and will aim to continue her success.
She is joined by Paris 2024 Olympic team-mates Mia Griffin and Erin Creighton. Griffin had a strong 2024, earning a top-ten finish in the Madison at the World Championships and securing overall victory in Rás na mBan. Creighton, a reserve rider in Paris, overcame a disrupted season to finish the year strongly in the UCI Track Champions League.
Aoife O’Brien makes her senior track championship debut, having shown steady progress at international level, including a strong showing at the Grenchen Track Challenge in late 2024. Esther Wong will also continue her development on the track, coming into the event fresh from the Cyclo-cross World Championships. Rounding out the team is Emma Jeffers, who makes her first appearance for Ireland, transitioning from BMX and road racing to the track.
National Track Cycling Coach Dan Henchy expressed confidence in the squad, highlighting the balance of experience and youth, as well as the importance of this event in developing depth within the endurance program as the team looks ahead to the LA Olympic cycle.
Ireland Schedule - 2025 Track European Championships
February 12th
Women's Team Pursuit Qualifying - Emma Jeffers, Erin Creighton, Esther Wong, Aoife O’BrienWomen's Scratch Race - Mia Griffin
February 13th
Women's Team Pursuit Round One - Emma Jeffers, Erin Creighton, Esther Wong, Aoife O’BrienWomen's Elimination Race - Lara GillespieWomen's Team Pursuit Finals - Emma Jeffers, Erin Creighton, Esther Wong, Aoife O’Brien
February 14th
Women's Omnium - Lara Gillespie
February 15th
Women's TT Kilo Qualifying - Erin Creighton, Emma JeffersWomen's Individual Pursuit Qualifying - Aoife O’BrienWomen's TT Kilo Final - Erin Creighton, Emma JeffersWomen's Points Race - Lara Gillespie
February 16th
Women's Madison Race - Lara Gillespie & Mia Griffin
Cycling Ireland Squad Announced for Track European Championships
Cycling Ireland has today (2nd Feb) named a squad of six riders to represent Ireland at the upcoming UEC Track European Championships.
The event takes place in Zolder, Belgium, from February 12th to 16th.
Lara Gillespie
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Gillespie will be joined by Paris 2024 Olympic team-mates Mia Griffin and Erin Creighton.
Griffin followed an impressive performance in Paris as part of the Team Pursuit squad by teaming up with Gillespie to earn seventh place in the Madison at the World Championships in October. She also found success on the road in 2024 as the Kilkenny native won Rás na mBan on home soil.
Creighton was also part of the Team Pursuit squad sent to Paris for the Olympic Games as a reserve rider. Creighton had her 2024 season interrupted by illness but rounded it out with a solid series long showing at the UCI Track Champions League.
Aoife O’Brien is no stranger to the Irish team but will be making her debut in a senior track championship. Aoife has raced for Ireland at the Junior European Championships in 2022, the U23 European championships in 2023 and most recently at the Grenchen Track Challenge at the end of 2024. A 7th place in the elimination race in Grenchen was a clear sign of her progress and she’ll be looking to make a strong start as the team begins the LA Olympic cycle.
Esther Wong makes her second appearance for Ireland in the Velodrome. The recently crowned Cyclo-cross National Champion made her debut on the track at the Grenchen Track Challenge in December and will look to hone her track skills even further in Belgium. She will join the team straight from the Cyclocross World Championships as she continues her busy start to 2025.
Emma Jeffers rounds out the squad for the European Championships. This will be Jeffers first time representing Ireland, as the former BMX rider turned road racer looks to bring her talents to the track.
Speaking on the provisional team selection, National Track Cycling Coach Dan Henchy said: “It’s a sign of the current strength of our women’s endurance group that we have six riders selected to ride for Ireland at the European Track Championships. Lara and Mia have been working hard to prepare for their WWT road seasons so will focus on the bunch races at Euros following the UAE Tour. We also have a new look team for the Team Pursuit and other timed events. All the riders are still in the U23 ranks but have already achieved success on the international stage, if not on the track, then in other disciplines. It’s a very strong group with a mix of track experience - developing that strength in depth is vital as we take our first steps together towards the LA Olympic Games.
It's a Championship track event with only the women’s endurance group being selected on this occasion. There are however plenty of green shoots in the other disciplines, with progress shown by the men’s endurance riders in late 2025 and most recently at the Next Gen race in Apeldoorn in the junior ranks. I’m confident that we’re close to having a group of riders who with a strong case for selection in subsequent championship events and would encourage all riders with ambitions to get selected in future to keep in touch with their plans.”
More details on the event, including full schedule are available - click here