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Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
Attacking Riding by Irish on Day Two of 2016 UEC Track European Championships - Paris
By Cycling Ireland Media
20 Oct 2016,
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8th for Ryan and 14th for Boylan in Aggressive Racing at European Track Championships
Fintan Ryan and Lydia Boylan were dominant in the bunch races on day two of the 2016 UEC European Track Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome in Paris, with Ryan finishing 8th in the Men’s Elimination Race and Boylan 14th in the Women’s Scratch Race. Ireland finished 8th in the finals of the Women’s Team Pursuit Ireland with 4.43.802, and the new pairing of Eimear Moran and Robyn Stewart in the Women’s Team Sprint finished 9th with a time of 36.638. With this being the first competition in the new Olympiad for track cyclists, the squad is made up of many new names of talented cyclists, who will use Paris as an opportunity to gain valuable experience. Racing runs in Paris from 19th – 23rd October, with Irish riders competing across both sprint and endurance events.
The Elimination Race is a tactical race whereby on every second lap the last rider to cross the finish line is eliminated. Ryan rode towards the front of the field for much of a race that involved much battling for position. Cycling Ireland Technical Director Brian Nugent was impressed with the 20 track rider saying “Fintan handled himself incredibly well in a tough race. He’s committed to the international track scene this year and has made huge progression. He rode in a good position throughout, and took control of the race from the front at the halfway point. He was unfortunate to come out when he did, when things were starting to get very tight. This was a big step up for Fintan; he has a big future ahead of him. All credit to him and his coach David Muntaner who has really led him well and guided his progression to perfection.”
Boylan was also impressive in the Scratch Race, attacking the race early and establishing the main break of the race. Once caught Boylan continued to ride aggressively. Nugent believed Boylan’s 14th place did not reflect her performance saying “That was a great race by Lydia. She made the move of the day by attacking the group. It took a lot of work from riders like Kirsten Wild to pull them back, and Lydia continued to move forward once they were caught. At these Championships Lydia is one of the more experienced riders, and today she led by example.”
The Women’s Team Pursuit finished in 8th place after qualifying for the second round today, and the for the first time at an international race Ireland fielded a Women’s Team Sprint with Tullamore’s Eimear Moran and Belfast born Robyn Stewart, both of whom were competing for the first time for Ireland at a major championship this week. Nugent said “Today was the first time we competed in a team event in a sprint discipline – it’s a big first for us. It was a learning experience and I’m happy with how it went.”
Racing continues tomorrow with the next round of the Eoin Mullen in the Men’s Sprint and Felix English in the Men’s Omnium. Yesterday English was 5th in the Men’s Scratch Race. Fresh from her Olympic experience Shannon McCurley will be competing in the Women’s Keirin, alongside Eimear Moran. In the Women’s Individual Pursuit Eileen Burns and Anna Turvey will be testing their strength, and Lydia Gurley will be competing in the Women’s Points Race.
IRISH RESULTS
19th Oct
Women’s Team Pursuit: Boylan, Burns, Gurley, Turvey - 8th – 4.40.347
Women’s 500 TT: Eimear Moran - 14th – 37.296
Women’s 500 TT: Robyn Stewart - 12th – 36.663
Women’s Elimination: Lydia Gurley - 15th
Men’s Scratch Race: Felix English - 5th
20th Oct
Women’s Team Pursuit: Boylan,Burns, Gurley,Turvey - 8th – 4.43.802
Women’s Team Sprint: Robyn Stewart - 9th – 3.36.638
Women’s Team Sprint: Eimear Moran - 9th – 3.36.638
Women’s Scratch Race: Lydia Boylan - 14th
Men’s Elimination Race: Fintan Ryan - 8th
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Solid Start for Debut Riders in First Day at European Track Championships
Published: 19 October 2016
On the first day of racing at the 2016 UEC European Track Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome in Paris the Irish team has had a solid start, with Felix English finishing 5th in the Men’s Scratch Race, and the Women’s Team Pursuit of Lydia Boylan, Eileen Burns, Lydia Gurley and Anna Turvey qualifying to the next round in 8th place, with a time of 4.40.347. In the Women’s 500m Time Trial newcomer to the Irish squad Robyn Stewart finished 12th in 36.663 seconds and Eimear Moran 14th in 37.296 seconds. Gurley was in action again in the Women’s Elimination Race later, where she finished 15th in the tactical bunch race. With this being the first competition in the new Olympiad for track cyclists, the squad is made up of many new names of talented cyclists, who will use Paris as an opportunity to gain valuable experience. Racing runs in Paris from 19th – 23rd October, with Irish riders competing across both sprint and endurance events.
In the Men’s Scratch Race English came agonizingly close to a medal in a race where two riders lapped the field, Gael Suter (SUI) and Adrian Teklinski (POL). In the sprint for the bronze medal English was pipped on the line, with the medal going to Wim Stroetinga (NED). Cycling Ireland Technical Director Brian Nugent said “That was a great display from Felix! He was one of the fastest in the final sprint and just missed out on a bronze due to the way the sprint worked out for him. He was well placed throughout and very vigilant and active at every point. Felix is maturing as a rider and the big result will come naturally.”
Boylan raced as the experienced rider on the team of Burns, Gurley and Turvey, who were competing in their debut championships, and the team started conservatively before building pace to finish in a time fast enough to earn them a pass to the next round tomorrow, where they get the opportunity to improve their placing in the race for fifth place. Commenting after their race Nugent was happy with their performance saying “The main goal of these championships for this group is to gain experience, so it’s a bonus for the women to qualify for the next round tomorrow. They have a lot to learn in the team pursuit, but I’m really happy with how they got on out there today. This group will just get stronger with more time and experience.”
Nugent was pleased to get the racing started, and felt all the riders performed well “The new women’s sprinters did great in the 500 TT recording pbs, and Lydia Gurley got stuck in during her individual debut at a major championships in the tactical bunch race. It’s just great to see so many new faces getting an opportunity to progress and really committing to it.”
Racing continues tomorrow with the next round of the Women’s Team Pursuit and Stewart and Moran will team up for the Women’s Team Sprint. Boylan will compete in the Women’s Scratch Race and Fintan Ryan will make his debut in the elite championships competing in the Men’s Elimination Race.
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