LAST UPDATE | 15 Jul 2023
LARA GILLESPIE HAS claimed another gold medal at the U23 European Track Championships in Anadia, Portugal.
Gillespie prevailed in the Omnium on to follow up her triumph in the points race on Friday. The Omnium consists of a scratch race, tempo race, elimination race and points race.
She dominated the tempo race, the second event of the Omnium before going on to win the elimination race which put her in joint third place, just two points behind the leader before going on to secure the gold.
LARA GILLESPIE - Remember the name! 🥇🥇
— Cycling Ireland (@CyclingIreland) July 15, 2023
U23 European Champion - Omnium
U23 European Champion - Points Race #EuroTrack23 pic.twitter.com/znRliuoBsk
The 22-year-old from Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, rode extremely well in the points race, picking up intermediate points in six sprints before holding off her rivals in the final sprint which awarded double points, sealing the win by seven points.
Gillespie was part of a select group of four that gained a lap on their opponents, claiming a 20 point bonus each. The points Gillespie won in the final three sprints proved decisive, outscoring her nearest rival, Maike Van Der Duin from the Netherlands to finish with 49 points.
Last month Gillespie was crowned elite and U23 National Champion on the road, sprinting to victory after a tough 122.6km race around the roads of Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.
Speaking after the points race, Gillespie said: “I am really, really happy. It was a great day on the bike.
“I felt really strong, so I am happy to pull it off. I am proud to be here and represent Ireland. We have a good team around us today so thank you to everyone and thank you to Cycling Ireland.”
On the same day, Stefan Caulfield-Dreier competed in the men’s U23 points race where he finished in 12th place, an encouraging finish in a strong field.
Earlier in the competition, Erin Creighton took an impressive fifth place finish in the scratch race.
Aaron Wade is also competing in the U23 men’s Omnium for Ireland. Competition concludes on Sunday with the Madison races which will see Erin Creighton and Aoife O’Brien partner together for the event, while Aaron Wade and Stefan Caulfield-Dreier will compete in the men’s Madison.
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