LAST UPDATE | 13 Aug 2022

KELLY MURPHY HAS set a new Irish record at the European Track Cycling Championships in Munich.

Murphy finished sixth in the individual pursuit this morning, up against Germany’s Lisa Brennauer and finishing just over five seconds behind in 3:26.362.

Brennauer set up a gold-medal clash against compatriot Mieke Kroger, while Great Britain duo Josie Knight and Anna Morris will face off for bronze.  

Kelly Murphy finishes 6th in the individual pursuit in a NEW NATIONAL RECORD* 💪

⏱ 3:26.362

*subject to ratification #Munich2022 pic.twitter.com/2JJvphZ9Xu

— Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) August 13, 2022

“I was really pleased with that,” Murphy told RTÉ Sport afterwards. “We haven’t had much time on the track but we’ve worked on other things like our position and my pacing.

“I’ve been been doing team pursuit so that was a good introduction to the track.

“I was up against a really strong rider today in Lisa Brennauer. She’s the current world champion, a stalwart of the peloton on the road, and a bit of a hero in the timed events on the track as well.

Kelly Murphy was delighted with setting a new national record in the individual pursuit at @ECMunich2022 @CyclingIreland #rtesport pic.twitter.com/oWfg2cyVFw

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 13, 2022

“So to be up against her and not get caught, I knew I was on for a good day.”

The London-born rider has held the last few records.

Meanwhile, Ryan Henderson produced a top 10 finish in the BMX Freestyle final.

Ireland’s first representative at a major championship in the BMX Freestyle event, Ryan Henderson left it all out on the park to finish in 10^th place. After qualifying 11th on Thursday, Henderson stepped up his game for the final. Henderson’s best score came in his second run where he was awarded 68 points, improving on his first run (64.4 points). 

Speaking after the event, Henderson said:

“I’m buzzing. Even to get into the final was cool but to place top 10, it’s amazing.” 

From breaking his neck in a motocross accident 10 years ago to competing at a European Championships, Henderson has had quite the journey to get to where he is today.

“It’s something I never thought would be possible. After having an accident in motocross and breaking my C3, it just shows if you put the work in anything is possible” Henderson added.

Earlier, Orla Walsh was 14th in the 500m time trial in a time of 35.176.

Her attention now switches to the Olympic events — sprint and Keirin.

Walsh and Murphy spoke to Cycling Ireland afterwards.

Hear what Kelly had to say after the Individual Pursuit 💪☘️#Munich2022 pic.twitter.com/DvGMkELV3g

— Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) August 13, 2022

Fresh from competing in the team pursuit yesterday, Alice Sharpe finished in 11th place in the crash-strewn elimination race this evening. Sharpe got caught up in two early crashes but was determined to carry on after both crashes. 

Commenting on the race, she said: “It’s all a bit of a blur. I was well positioned before the first crash and before the second crash too and then after we restarted after the second crash, I just was not able to go over the top. I was a bit lazy and snuck in the bottom and then I was eliminated. 

“It’s not ideal really but I think it’s just a consequence of the shorter track, it’s pretty hard to move around and I think any movement by any riders were really exaggerated by the track.

“I think I’ll hurt tomorrow but considering how many crashes and how other riders came away I think I did okay.”