2023 Senior Track National Championships Results
L-R: Eoin Mullen, Harvey Barnes, Alex Abdul-Wahab pose on the podium following the men's (open) sprint finals (Image: Inpho Photography)
The 2023 Senior Track National Championships took place on Saturday and Sunday, August 26th and 27th, as Ireland's best track riders showcased their talent.
Sundrive Velodrome played host as sprint, keirin, individual pursuit, madison, scratch races took place, as well as the rescheduled men's (open) 1km time trial - postponed earlier this month due to weather conditions.
Harvey Barnes enjoyed a brilliant weekend as he was crowned national champion across three categories. The East Tyrone rider was strongest in the men's (open) keirin and doubled up with victory in the 1km time trial. Concluding his weekend, Barnes was crowned sprint national champion as Eoin Mullen conceded the gold medal ride following a lengthy stoppage due to rain.
In the women's sprint and keirin races, Orla Walsh once again dominated the racing as she won both categories, but faced strong opposition in Deirbhle Ivory, Ellen Ni Cleirigh and Autumn Collins.
The scaratch races provided some fine entertainment as Niall McLoughlin's strong sprint proved decisive as it came to a bunch sprint in the men's (open) race while Gabriella Homer improved on her silver in the individual pursuit to take gold in the scratch race.
It was Annalise Murphy who came out on top by just 0.13 seconds over Homer in Saturday's individual pursuit as the Olympic silver medalist in sailing has continued to impress on the track. Conn McDunphy also proved he can dominate on track as well as road as the 2023 Road National Series winner picked up gold in the individual pursuit.
Annalise Murphy in action (Image: Inpho Photography)
UCD Cycling Club, Longcourt Hotel - NCW Wheelers and Spellman-Dublin Port proved the strongest teams when it came to the madison races, with both races providing excellent entertainment and intriguing battles at the front of the race.
In the men's (open) race saw Spellman-Dublin Port (Stefan Caulfield-Dreier and Christopher Donald) and UCD Cycling Club (Jason Kenny and Sean Landers) contested almost every sprint together as they traded blows throughout. Spellman-Dublin Port came out on top after 60 laps, picking up 56 points to UCD Cycling Club's 42 points.
In the women's race, Longcourt Hotel - NCW Wheelers (Annalise Murphy and Ellen Ni Cleirigh) and UCD Cycling Club (Jennifer Neenan and Clodagh Ni Ghallchoir) stayed together for much of the race. However, Murphy and Ni Cleirigh's relentless pace soon told as UCD Cycling Club lost contact slightly in the final ten laps, with the duo as they took on the final sprint alone at the front to seal victory.
Inpho imagery from Sunday's action is available here.
Full results can be found here.