Track Nations Cup Round Up

It’s been a busy two weeks for members of the Irish Track team who were competing in the UCI Track Nations Cup events in Hong Kong and then Malaysia. Ireland had mixed fortunes across the two events. 

The first Nations Cup took place in Hong Kong, from April 17th to 19th. It was characterised by some gutsy performances in the face of injury. For Aoife O’Brien, a shoulder injury sustained road racing in Europe didn’t improve after travelling to Hong Kong. 

On the opening day in the Women’s Team Pursuit qualifying round O'Brien took to the line with her Team Pursuit team-mates, Erin Creighton, Emma Jeffers and Esther Wong, O’Brien could only start, and roll off the track to leave them to complete the race as a threesome where they finished in 11th. She then flew straight home for treatment. 

Esther Wong successfully progressed to the final of the Women’s Elimination race where she finished 17th. 

Erin Creighton and Emma Jeffers joined forces for the Women’s Madison, where unfortunately Ireland’s injury toll increased. While racing another team crashed into Jeffers. Another determined performance in the face of injury saw the pair finish 13th. 

On the final day Jeffers rode through the pain barrier to finish the Women's Omnium in 21st place, and upon returning home was found to have fractured her wrist during the Madison.

Thankfully the second World Cup was less bruising. Erin Creighton was joined in by Lara Gillespie and Matti Dobbins in Malaysia, with racing taking place from the 24th to 26th of April. 

Following a successful start to her season on the road Lara Gillespie made her return to the track. The reigning World Champion finished third in the Women’s Elimination Race. 

She partnered Erin Creighton for the Women’s Madison, where they finished 11th. Gillespie concluded the Nations Cup by finishing 5th in the Women’s Omnium. 

Matti Dobbin’s made his Track Nations Cup debut in Malaysia, finishing 13th in the Men’s Omnium.