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. A full schedule and preview will be published in due course.


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