Irish cycling has a new star and his name is Oisin O'Callaghan. The teenager flew to World Downhill Championships gold in Austria earlier today to join a very exclusive club of Irish cyclists who have worn the iconic rainbow bands.
He is the first junior world champion for Ireland since Mark Scanlon won the junior road race title in Valkenburg back in 1998.
Today in Austria Limerick rider O'Callaghan took the gold medal ahead of British riders Daniel Slack and James Elliott, who had to be content with silver and bronze for Team GB.
The 17-year-old Irish rider blasted down the 'Speedster' 2.3km course in 4:02.142, just over two seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Slack.
Fellow Irish rider Christopher Cumming was second fastest in qualification on Friday but he had to settle for 21st in Sunday’s final.
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“I don’t think it’s sunk in fully yet, late on I think it will,” O'Callaghan said after taking his incredible victory at the highest level in the sport.
“It’s a bit
overwhelming right now. Every rider aims to win, but top five would have been
really good,” he said of his ride in these Worlds.
“Everyone has been sending me messages and hoping that I do well and I know lots of people were watching it live,” added O'Callaghan who was riding for Ireland today usually competes for The YT Mob Race Team.
More to come.
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