Three riders were in action for Ireland on the third day of the Junior World Track Championships in Aigle, Switzerland today with Shenna McKiverigan the first in action in the Women’s Scratch Race.
The 16-year-old from Gilford, County Down crashed in her 5km morning heat but was quickly back on her bike and finished a fine seventh to qualify comfortably for the evening final.
However, Shenna’s helmet had been badly damaged in the crash and, following consultation with the doctor at trackside, the decision was taken that she shouldn’t start the evening final. It was a disappointing conclusion to McKiverigan’s championships but the doctor’s decision was fully endorsed by the Ireland management.
“Shenna raced well before and after the crash but the doctor examined her afterwards and he quickly decided that, having hit her head, she should retire from the event,” said Team Coach David Muntaner.
“It was disappointing for Shenna but we fully support the decision. Shenna had raced well in her heat and was unfortunate but her health is the most important thing.”
Meanwhile Ciara Doogan finished 16th in the Women’s 2km Individual Pursuit, the Donegal rider stopping the clocks in 2m28.666s, a time that confirms her development in international pursuiting.
“Ciara’s time was within half a second of the time she set in European championships in Montechiari last week,” said Muntaner. “The track here is just 200m long and slower than Italy so it shows that she’s improving.
Earlier Luke Smith finished 12th in his qualifying heat of the Men’s Points Race. Smith scored points at the fifth sprint but his two points weren’t enough to ensure progression to the final.
“Luke was strong physically and almost took a lap but he missed out on one sprint opportunity,” said Muntaner. “He’ll gain a lot from this experience.”
Smith is back on track in tomorrow’s penultimate day of racing when he and Xeno Young ride the Individual Pursuit. Also in action is Ciara Doogan who will ride the first three events in the Women’s Omnium.
For full results see here
The event will be streamed live every day on the UCI website.
Full Team:
| Junior Women’s Points Race Ciara Doogan | Junior Women’s Scratch Race Shenna McKiverigan |
| Junior Women’s Omnium Ciara Doogan | Junior Women’s Individual Pursuit Ciara Doogan |
| Junior Men’s Scratch Race Xeno Young | Junior Men’s Points Race Luke Smith |
| Junior Men’s Madison Xeno Young Luke Smith | Junior Men’s Individual Pursuit Xeno Young Luke Smith |
| TEAM SUPPORT: David Muntaner (Lead Coach) Nicola McKiverigan (Coach) | |
Race order below, exact race times here
RESULTS
| Day 1 – Wednesday 20th July 2016 | ||
| Ciara Doogan | Women’s 20km Points Race | 6th |
| Day 2 – Thursday 21st July 2016 | ||
| Xeno Young | Men’s Scratch | 15th |
| Day 3 – Friday 22nd July 2016 | ||
| Shenna McKiverigan | Women’s Scratch | H-7th F-DNS |
| Ciara Doogan | Women’s Individual Pursuit | |
| Luke Smith | Men’s Points Race | H-12th |
| Day 4 – Saturday 23rd July 2016 | ||
| Luke Smith | Men’s Individual Pursuit | |
| Xeno Young | Men’s Individual Pursuit | |
| Ciara Doogan | Women’s Omnium Day 1 | |
| Day 5 – Sunday 24th July 2016 | ||
| Ciara Doogan | Women’s Omnium Day 2 | |
| Luke Smith/Xeno Young | Men’s Madison | |
Cycling Ireland Website: www.cyclingireland.ie
Event Twitter: #Aigle2016
CI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyclingireland
CI Twitter: @irecyclingfed
Cycling Ireland
Kelly Roche House
619 North Circular Road
Dublin 1, Ireland
For full results see here
The event will be streamed live every day on the UCI website.
Full Team:
| Junior Women’s Points Race Ciara Doogan | Junior Women’s Scratch Race Shenna McKiverigan |
| Junior Women’s Omnium Ciara Doogan | Junior Women’s Individual Pursuit Ciara Doogan |
| Junior Men’s Scratch Race Xeno Young | Junior Men’s Points Race Luke Smith |
ENDS