Caroline Ryan (far right) fights for position in the omnium bunch at the Euros last month
The Irish track riders will tomorrow, Thursday, resume their efforts to grab much needed Olympic qualification points when they line out at the first World Cup event in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Martyn Irvine, David O’Loughlin and the woman’s team pursuit trio of Caroline Ryan, Ciara Horne and Sinead Jennings are all in action on the boards at the Sary-Arka velodrome.
The women’s team are first up tomorrow in the qualification rounds of the team pursuit. Should they qualify for the medal ride-offs they will be in action again on Friday evening.
However, with teams from all over the world having descended on Astana looking for those all important points to get to the London Olympics, a place in the ride offs may be a step too far for the team at this stage of their development.
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In the men’s events, Martyn Irvine takes in the omnium in a bid to qualify an Irish rider for that six-race event at the London Olympics. That’s spread over two days in Astana; Friday and Saturday.
David O’Loughlin rides the scratch race and individual pursuit on Friday and Sunday.
As well as being a member of the women’s pursuit team, we understand Caroline Ryan is also taking on the women’s omnium; which unfolds on Saturday and Sunday.
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While Irvine’s bid for Olympic qualification is taking place under the umbrella of Cycling Ireland and Irish Sports Council funding, O’Loughlin and the three women are pursuing an independent route.
They will be riding in their Cunga Bikes trade team colours in Astana, with Irvine riding for Ireland.
O’Loughlin last year discontinued his involvement with the Ireland track set-up. However, he has now come out of track retirement to try and qualify for the omnium in London.
That sets him on a direct head-to-head challenge with Irvine, who is also going for a spot in the omnium in London. Ireland can only qualify one rider in that event and is currently 11th in the European omnium rankings. It must climb to eight or higher to secure a place in London.
The women’s team pursuiters had their funding cut earlier this year but have joined the Cunga Bikes trade team and are continuing their bid to qualify by riding for Cunga at the World Cups.
There are four World Cup meetings in all – Astana this weekend, Cali next month and Beijing and London in the New Year. Points towards qualifying for London are on offer at all four and at the World Track Championships in Melbourne next April; the last Olympic ranking event.
The four World Cups are open to both trade and national teams. It means riders from Ireland, or indeed any other nation, can participate outside the remit of the national set-up; just as the Cunga Bikes quartet are doing.
We’ll bring you coverage of all five riders’ progress in the next few days. Very best of luck to all of them.
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