Crash Derails Ireland’s Hopes In The Madison On The Final Day Of Competition At The European Track Championships

Crash Derails Ireland’s Hopes In The Madison On The Final Day Of Competition At The European Track Championships

Ireland’s European Track Championships concluded on Sunday in Grenchen, Switzerland as riders competed in the women’s Madison and men’s and women’s Keirin. 

Alice Sharpe and Lara Gillespie teamed up for the Madison with hopes of a top 10 finish but a crash mid-way through the race derailed their chance of this. 

Ireland started strongly securing a point each in the first two sprints however just over halfway into the race, Sharpe hit the deck.  

While Shape received some attention after her crash, Gillespie slotted into the main bunch to stay in the race. Sharpe re-joined the race shortly after but as a strong pace was maintained at the front of the race, the Irish team were under pressure to stick with the bunch eventually losing a lap resulting in a 20-point deduction. 

Determined to finish the race, Sharpe and Gillespie never threw in the towel finishing out the race with a further two 20-point deductions. 

Earlier today, Orla Walsh and Conor Rowley competed in the Keirin. First to race was Walsh, who finished in 5th place in the first round with only the top two riders directly qualifying for the second round. 

Walsh had a second chance to secure qualification in the first round repechage but it wasn’t meant to be. 

Rowley suffered a similar fate in his races and was unsuccessful in qualifying for the second round after finishing 6th and 4th in his heat in the first round and repechage respectively. 

Sunday’s action is Ireland’s last at this year’s European Championships after five days of competition at the Tissot Velodrome in Grenchen, Switzerland.