Lydia Boylan broke her own National 500m Time Trial Record in the Omnium as five Irish riders completed a successful week of racing at the European Track Championships in Grenchen.
Boylan began day two of the Women’s Omnium in 16th place with three of the six races remaining and she moved up a place with a new national record in the 500m Time Trial, eclipsing the mark she set at the Revolution Event in Derby, England last month.
Her 36.628s effort shaved .147s off her previous best on her way to ninth and she topped that with eighth in the race five Flying Lap, her 14.589s helping her rise to 14th in the event ahead of the final Points Race.
In the sixth and final Omnium event Boylan was on the attack early on, taking points for third in the first two sprints of ten. She paid for her efforts by losing a lap but fought back to take points for second in another sprint. The net result was 16th overall and two top-ten finishes from the six races.
Shannon McCurley and Eoin Mullen finished fifth and fourth in the heats of the Women’s and Men’s Keirins, respectively which sent them to the repechages. McCurley finished fifth again having gained further valuable experience in one of track racing’s fastest and most tactical races.
Mullen also exited at the repechage but in more dramatic circumstances after being caught up in another rider’s crash in the home straight. The Aran Islander was quickly back on his feet, showing no significant ill-effects from his tumble.
Melanie Späth and Josie Knight rode the Women’s Individual Pursuit where Späth’s 3m40.698s for her 12-lap time trial proved good enough for a fine seventh place. First year-senior Knight finished 20th in 3m47.228s.
The final event of the week was the Women’s Elimination Race where Lauren Creamer was classified 13th.
Afterwards Team Technical Director Brian Nugent on a strong week of racing from the Irish squad:-
“We’re very happy with our week’s work. The team have made alot of progress and I believe that will continue. We are developing at a steady pace and it’s very satisfying to see this.
“We are laying good foundations and we had some very good performances this week, especially in the Olympic Disciplines which is very pleasing.”
