The second day of racing for the NI team resulted in 11th for Lydia Boylan in the Points Race and 12th for Mark Downey in the Scratch Race at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia today. Marc Potts and Xeno Young also competed in the final of the Scratch Race after qualifying out of their heats earlier in the day.
In a hectic paced Scratch Race Dromore’s Downey described a fast race – “the pre-race plan was to try to go for a lap, but it was just absolutely crazy. The speed was 55kmph average so there was no let-up at all!”
The high speed in the 15km bunch race resulted in no riders lapping the field. “I tried a bit in the middle to make a move, but never really recovered from it,” Downey explained after the race which was contested by a strong experienced bunch including multiple World Champion Cameron Meyer (AUS). “Everytime Cameron Meyer kicked through I was put on the back foot and I ran out of legs in the last lap. But I did everything I could in the race, tomorrow is a new day.”
The gold medal was won by Australia’s Sam Welsford ahead of New Zealand’s Campbell Stewart. Christopher Latham from England won the bronze medal.
Lydia Boylan raced well in the women’s Points Race, finishing 11th on the line in a race that was dominated by Olympic and multiple World Champion Elinor Barker from Wales. Baker’s 40-point advantage at the finish of the 25km race was double that achieved by silver medallist Katie Archibald (Scotland), Scotland’s Neah Evans rounded off the podium with bronze.
Speaking after her race Boylan was relieved to move on from a disappointing World Championships earlier this year – “after a disappointing Worlds I just wanted to get back to enjoying racing. I tried not to think too much and didn’t put any expectation on myself.”
The WNT – Rotor Pro Cycling Team rider raced aggressively throughout – “I’m happy that I put myself out there with some big attacks, but unfortunately you need to score the points too. I’m really happy with my form, so I’m definitely looking forward to leaving it all out on the track tomorrow in the Scratch Race.”
Tomorrow is the final day of track cycling competition at the Commonwealth Games, with Downey, Potts and Young competing in the Points Race. Boylan will be racing in the Scratch Race and Robyn Stewart will be testing herself in the Keirin.
The Commonwealth Games run from the 4th – 15th April in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Australia.
RESULTS:
Women’s Points Race
Gold Elinor Barker (Wales)
Silver Katie Archibald (Scotland)
Bronze Neah Evans (Scotland)
11th Lydia Boylan (Northern Ireland)
Men’s Scratch Race
Gold Sam Welsford (Australia)
Silver Campbell Stewart (New Zealand)
Bronze Christopher Latham (England)
12th Mark Downey (Northern Ireland)
DNF Xeno Young (Northern Ireland)
DNF Marc Potts (Northern Ireland)
