|
Track World Championships Round-Up
The UCI Track World Championships in Santiago, Chile, wrapped up on Sunday after an incredible five days of racing, with six cyclists representing Ireland across eight races.
Wicklow’s Lara Gillespie conquered the Elimination race, securing the gold medal with a spectacular sprint finish to overtake Great Britain’s Kate Archibald. Gillespie stormed to the top of the podium, becoming the first Irish woman to win a track world title, adding to her European medal in the same event earlier in the year.
Gillespie added to her World Championship catalogue with a sixth-place finish in the Omnium the very next day. Concluding the Championships, she finished 12th in the Points Race.
The Championships saw Fiona Mangan, Caoimhe O’Brien, Aoife O’Brien, and Erin Creighton ride together for the first time in the Team Pursuit. The quartet put in a huge effort to take 13th on day one of the event, narrowly missing out on qualification. Olympian Erin Creighton was paired with Emma Jeffers in the Madison on the penultimate day of racing, with the duo coming home in 13th.
Emma Jeffers raced individually in the Scratch race, coming away with 12th after a tough race in a strong field. Aoife O’Brien fought hard to take home 24th in the 1km TT, a solid result at the tail end of a tough season hampered by injury. Fiona Mangan battled for 12th in the Individual Pursuit, in what was her first time on the track in international competition.
|
|
Lara Gillespie secured the Gold medal in the Elimination race at the UCI Track World Championship, storming to an impressive podium finish. The reigning European Champion in the Scratch event increases her international medal tally, after holding her own in an impressive field.
Day one saw Fiona Mangan, Caoimhe O’Brien, Aoife O’Brien, and Erin Creighton come 13th in the Team Pursuit, just missing out on qualification, with Emma Jeffers finishing 12th in the Scratch.
Still to race are Fiona Mangan in the Pursuit at 5.25pm on Saturday, Aoife O’Brien in the Kilo TT at 3pm on Saturday, Olympian Erin Creighton and Emma Jeffers in the Madison at 10.12pm on Saturday.
All times above are given in Irish time.
|
To get the full timing for all events through Tissot - click here
|
Six Irish riders to ride World Track Championship in Chile
This week sees more Irish riders in UCI World Championship action, as six head to South America for the Track World Championships in Chile. The Championships run from Wednesday October 22nd to Sunday October 26th.
Reigning European Champion in the Scratch event Lara Gillespie
|
Reigning European Champion in the Scratch event Lara Gillespie will ride at the Peñalolén Velodrome in Santiago, and will compete in three events over the five days. Gillespie will ride the Elimination at 10.55pm Thursday, the Omnium starting at 3.38pm on Friday and the Points Race at 5.54pm on Sunday
Fiona Mangan, like Gillespie, made her Tour de France Femmes debut this summer, and will this week make her UCI Track World Championships debut in Chile. Mangan will ride the Team Pursuit Qualifier at 3pm on Wednesday and the Pursuit at 5.25pm on Saturday
|
Aoife O’Brien saw her positive start to the year dented by injuries sustained over the summer, but has been performing well in her return to action in recent weeks. The younger of the two O’Brien sisters will ride the Team Pursuit Qualifier at 3pm on Wednesday and the Kilo TT at 3pm on Saturday
Caoimhe O’Brien will join her sister at this year’s Track World Championships. Although the elder O’Brien sister’s focus has been on the road in recent years, including an U23 National Championship in 2024, she’s no stranger to racing on the track. Caoimhe O’Brien will ride the Team Pursuit Qualifier at 3pm on Wednesday.
Erin Creighton has become a stalwart of Irish track teams over the past number of years, including an appearance at the 2024 Olympics. In Santiago, Creighton will ride the Team Pursuit Qualifier at 3pm on Wednesday and the Madison at 10.12pm on Saturday
|
Emma Jeffers rounds out the Irish contingent in Santiago. Her strong performances at the top level on the road have been mirrored by strong performances on the track throughout 2025. Jeffers will ride the Scratch at 11pm on Wednesday and the Madison at 10.12pm on Saturday
Should the team get through the Team Pursuit Qualifier, the competition continues at 9.30pm on Thursday.
All times above are given in Irish time.
To get the full timing for all events through Tissot - click here
Lara Gillespie
|
Images courtesy of SWPix from 2025 UEC European Track Championships