Irish team for Australian Track World Cup
Round 5 of the UCI Track World Cup series gets underway this weekend in Brisbane, Australia. The Irish track cycling team will be looking to end the year of a high and continue their recent run of good form.
Mark Downey and Felix English team up once again in the men’s Madison. The duo has found form at just the right time placing 7th in Hong Kong two weeks ago and 8th in New Zealand last weekend. The results have seen them edge closer to the Olympic qualification zone, now just 290 points off the Netherlands who hold the final slot. Another strong showing will be required over the gruelling 50-kilometre, 200 lap men’s Madison on Sunday morning.
European silver medallist Shannon McCurley makes a return to racing after being sidelined following a crash. McCurley will team up with Lydia Boylan in the Women’s Madison which is raced over 30-kilometres. Ireland’s Women’s Madison team has jumped to 9th in the Olympic rankings thanks to a string of top 10 World Cup finishes.
Sprint specialist Robyn Stewart will represent Ireland in both the women’s Sprint and women’s Keirin in Brisbane.
IRELAND SQUAD (UCI Elite Track Cycling World Cup, Brisbane, Australia, December 13th – 15th)
Men’s Madison: Mark Downey, Felix English. Women’s Madison: Shannon McCurley, Lydia Boylan. Women’s Omnium: Shannon McCurley. Women’s Sprint: Robyn Stewart. Women’s Keirin: Robyn Stewart.
Live timing and results HERE
Olympic Qualification Rankings HERE
Olympic Qualification Criteria HERE