Murphy sets National Record to finish 15th at World Championships

Kelly Murphy sets National Record to finish 15^th at World Championships

Kelly Murphy has set a new national record of 3:29.699 at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin, claiming 15^th in the Women’s Individual Pursuit. It is the first time an Irish rider has gone under 3 minutes 30 seconds for this discipline, the previous record stood at 3:30.687 and was set by Kelly at the European Championships in October.

Reflecting on two record breaking rides Kelly Murphy said:

“I’m satisfied with my ride today… I ultimately came to beat the time I set at the Europeans Championships which I did. In the timed events, a lot of the girls here have shown that the bar has been raised. I have put in a lot of work (in order) to raise with it.”

Commenting on the team pursuit national record Kelly said:

“The team pursuit was amazing; the individual pursuit was just a bonus ride. We have been working really hard in Palma just doing lap after lap, so we have been breaking our own records almost every competition we have been at.

“That’s probably what I have learnt... we can come here and compete.”

On Wednesday, Kelly along with her teammates Mia Griffin, Lara Gillespie, and Alice Sharpe knocked 4 seconds off the Women’s Team Pursuit national record to qualify for the next round and finish 8^th.

On Sunday, Mark Downey and Felix English will hope to qualify Olympic slots in the Men’s Madison while Alice Sharpe will compete in the Women’s Points Race.