Ireland will send four female track cyclists to the Paris Olympic Games this summer.
The Irish women’s track cycling team has secured qualification in the team pursuit, the Omnium and the Madison following a two-year competition journey.
Kelly Murphy who qualifies through her Roscommon born father and Dublin born mother; is joined on the pursuit team by Lara Gillespie, Mia Griffin and Alice Sharpe.
Whereas, Lara Gillespie is selected in the omnium and the Madison is made up by Alice Sharpe and Lara Gillespie.
The success of this team in qualifying is all the more impressive considering Ireland doesn’t have an indoor velodrome. Indeed, this team has dedicated a significant amount of time to training at the Cycling Ireland base in Majorca.
“It’s really special, it’s been a long-term goal of Cycling Ireland and us as a team of girls” said Alice Sharpe. “For it to actually come true, and to be weeks away from going to Paris, is really really special”.
“The feeling in the camp is good. The last camp we had was like head down, making sure that we’re strong and fast, and now we’ve got to come home, collected our kit, and have had a really fun open training session this morning”.
“I think this has really built the excitement for us and made it feel a bit more real. I think before it was it was something we had achieved but now it feels like it’s really happening.”
The track cycling competitions take place in the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome on the outskirts of Paris, and run from the 6 August until the 11 August.
Team Ireland track cycling team
Women’s Team Pursuit: Lara Gillespie (Wicklow), Mia Griffin (Kilkenny), Alice Sharpe (Cambridge/Belfast), Kelly Murphy (Birmingham/Dublin/Roscommon). Reserve: Erin Creighton (Antrim).
Women’s Omnium: Lara Gillespie. Women’s Madison: Alice Sharpe, Lara Gillespie.
