Sixth place for Lydia Gurley in the Points Race and seventh for the duo of Mark Downey and Felix English in the Madison at the Apeldoorn round of UCI Track Cycling World Cup concludes a successful few weeks for the Irish Track Team, who have secured two medals and 21 top ten performances over the past three major events, which took place in the space of four weekends.
Today’s results conclude the three day’s of racing in Apeldoorn which was the second round of the World Cup, which saw Ireland feature strongly across a range of events, including the sensational win by Mark Downey in the Men’s Points Race yesterday.
Relatively new to track racing at this level Galway rider Gurley finished sixth in the 20km Women’s Points Race after lapping the field and picking up a further point before finishing.
Speaking after the race she was happy with how she raced saying: “I lapped the field with a group which was initially four riders, but grew to six. It was a touch, quick race with no let up after the lap gain. I did a bit too much work at the end and didn’t have the legs for the final sprint. The race represented more experience and I am happy to have been involved in the main move of the day.”
Still elated after his gold medal win in the Men’s Points Race yesterday, 20 year old Downey teamed up with English, who was fourth in the Scratch Race on Friday. The strong new pairing were one of the strongest teams in the event, and finished seventh.
Downey believes they are going from strength to strength in this event: “Seventh in my first Madison with Felix was a nice way to wrap up the event. In my eyes we were one of the strongest teams out there, but we still lack some experience and knowledge in this race, but we are going from strength to strength.”
“I think we have a very nice pairing with Felix being so fast, and me being the donkey as such. We left every ounce on the track and we are very satisfied.”
English echoed Downey adding: “I think we have a lot of potential for the future and it will definitely be a big aim for us leading up to Tokyo 2020. Once again absolutely huge credit to David [Muntaner – coach]; we’ve improved a lot in the last few months physically and tactically. We owe him a hell of a lot!”
Downey’s gold medal win yesterday had a very positive effect on the team, English said “Mark’s win last night had us really motivated for today – once we have some more experience racing together I think we should be one of the strongest and fastest teams around. It was brutal racing today, but we’re happy to be actually in the front of the racing competing for medals.”
After winning gold Downey has his sights set on the future: “Last night was a long one, with my phone basically shutting itself down with vibration! I didn’t get much sleep – but I am still one happy chap! We went out today to do ourselves proud and I think we nailed it.”
“The next plan for me now is a nice 6-day in Geneva, enjoy Christmas and then into the New Year we go again. I have to thank the whole CI [Cycling Ireland] team here – especially David, Victor, Susan, Paddy and all the background staff. We are developing as a nation and we’re not going to events to make the numbers up – we are going to win, and that’s the way we have to keep moving forward.”
The next Track Cycling World Cup is in Cali in February.
