Cycling Nations Gather in Sundrive for Dublin Track Cycling International

Top Cycling Names Entered in Dublin Track Cycling International on 2-3 July

This weekend some of the top names in international cycling will be competing in Dublin at the Dublin Track Cycling International which takes place in the Sundrive Velodrome on the 2^nd and 3^rd July. In just four years the international track cycling competition has embedded itself firmly on the UCI racing calendar, with teams from Italy, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Spain and GB set to compete against the Irish National Team and the best domestic riders. This event is supported by Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership, with the local interest likely to be on the competition between the young local riders who will be honing their bike skills in the Future Stars Programme in the coming weeks.

The Men’s Omnium will be one of the most exciting events, with riders confirmed from Germany, Spain, Belgium and Holland contesting the win against strong Irish riders like Olympian David O’Loughlin (Cunga CC), Eoin Morton (UCD) and Darragh Zaidan (Arcane Adamstown CT). This will be a real test for the Irish contingent, with impressive competitors like Lucan Liss (GER), former Scratch Race World Champion, and Tim Veldt (NED) entered. The entry list originally included Team Sky rider Elia Viviani, but the Italian rider will not now be competing.

The Irish team, which includes the experience of Eoin Mullen and Josie Knight, also includes talented newcomers Lydia Gurley and Marc Potts. Gurley has been producing exciting times on the road in the Time Trial, and will have a busy weekend competing alongside her teammates in the Omnium; she will also race in the Points Race and the Scratch Race. Potts will be a name to watch this weekend. The Tyrone native has recently been competing on the track, and has already recorded a time of 4.28 in the individual pursuit, a time within 8 seconds of the phenomenal time of Martyn Irvine, who won a silver medal at the world championships with a time of 4.20 in 2013. Potts will be competing in the Individual Pursuit on Sunday.

Caroline Ryan has been forced to withdraw from the event, suffering a knee injury, which will be a disappointment for the Kildare rider. Last year she sensationally beat Kirsten Wild (NED) for gold in the final of the Individual Pursuit at this event. Knight, who won a silver medal in the European Junior Championships in 2014, will be aiming to impress across the Omnium, Pursuit, Points Race and Scratch Race over the weekend, with some of the biggest challenges likely to come from home riders like Eileen Burns and Lydia Gurley.

Brian Nugent is delighted to have a full team competing at this event saying “The Dublin Track Cycling International is a really important event on our race programme. During the summer we have to compete at similar events around Europe, as the points they gather at these competitions qualifies them to compete at the World Cups and World Championships next season. The Dublin Track International is always a well-run event, and it is a great opportunity to see the top domestic riders compete against those on the National Team. It is also a unique opportunity for friends and family to come and watch the riders compete, with it being a free event for spectators.”

Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership is once again the funding partner of the Dublin Track Cycling International, and is delighted to be supporting the event. Jim Beggan, head of Sport and Recreation in Dublin City Council said “We are very much looking forward to seeing Dublin Track Cycling International take to the Velodrome in Eamonn Ceannt Park. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Parks department who work tirelessly throughout the year to maintain this unique facility. The Future Stars programme is a real highlight for us and a fantastic opportunity for local young people to be involved. Best of luck to all who are competing in this exciting event.”

Entry is free for spectators, with racing taking place all day on both Saturday 2^nd and Sunday 3^rd July. The full racing programme can be seen on www.trackcycling.ie.

SCHEDULE: