There was more success today at the masters’ world track championships in Anadia, Portugal, with Aideen Collard and Orla Hendron taking silver and bronze medals respectively.

Both were part of a large group of women who disputed the scratch race together, and were active throughout. Hendron attacked five laps into the 20 lap race, and went clear later on, but a bunch sprint settled things. Collard was second in the 35-39 age group, just losing out to Diana Eaton (USA), who timed her lunge to the line perfectly.

Hendron took third in the women’s 45-49 age category, sprinting in behind Elizabeth Clayton (Great Britain) and Makiko Hamada (Japan).

Collard had previously finished second behind Eaton in yesterday’s individual pursuit, also taking silver.

“The race came down to a bunch finish. I felt great but didn’t get my chance to use my sprint as I was boxed in,” she said. “I thought I had it but Diana threw her bike at the line.

“The speed made it very hard to attack and also to move out after being boxed in.”

Hendron was third in her age group in that event. “I attacked with about 16 laps to go,” she said afterwards. “It was a bit soon, but I saw an opportunity and went for it. I was caught, some other riders went clear and were also brought back. I sat on Janet [Birkmyre’s] wheel for the gallop, but Elizabeth (Clayton) was ahead at that point and won.

“I am delighted to get the medal. It was a very hard race as there was a big bunch; it was hard to keep an eye on the riders in my category. The plan now is to do the sprints; I’ll just do it for the craic, then have a real go for the points race. I’ll chase another medal there.”

Collard will also follow the same schedule.

In all Irish riders have taken four medals thus far; apart from the two silvers won by Collard and the bronze of Hendron, Simon Coughlan took silver in yesterday’s individual pursuit for 35-39 year old men.

Terry Cromer was also in action in this evening’s scratch race, lining out in the contest for 55-59 year old men. He finished 13th, with the win going to Keith Ketterer (USA) ahead of the Britons James Rutherford and Ian Humphreys.

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Master’s world track championship, Anadia, Portugal:

Day 2, Scratch race:

Women, 35-39:

1, Diana Eaton (USA)
2, Aideen Collard (Ireland)
3, Amanda Wray (South Africa)


Women, 45-49:

1, Elizabeth Clayton (Great Britain)
2, Makiko Hamada (Japan)
3, Orla Hendron (Ireland)


Men, 55-59:

1, Keith Ketterer (USA)
2, James Rutherford (Great Britain)
3, Ian Humphreys (Great Britain)

Other:

13, Terry Cromer (Ireland)