One wore the iconic rainbow stripes in his pomp while the other will wear them for the next year and today Martyn Irvine and Lara Gillespie were on hand to witness construction of the new €100 million velodrome in Dublin getting underway.
Minister for Sport Patrick O'Donovan TD led the Government and a national sporting officials delegation and it was he who turned the sod at the site as Cycling Ireland chief executive, James Quilligan, and chairman, Ciaran Cannon, looked on.
Irvine, a former world champion on the track, will hopefully still be part of the Cycling Ireland high performance coaching set-up when the track opens, scheduled for mid 2027. And Gillespie, the reigning elimination race world and European champion, will get to train and race on the Dublin velodrome.
Cannon, a former TD and junior minister who has taken on the position of Cycling Ireland chair since leaving politics, described the velodrome as "a game-changer for cycling and for our wider sporting community" that would be open to riders of all ages and abilities."
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Cannon continued: "This facility will not only nurture the next generation of Irish elite cyclists, it will also open the doors for thousands at grassroots level to discover and enjoy the sport in a safe, world-class environment," he said.
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“We have seen the extraordinary impact of velodrome investment in other countries. In Britain, the Manchester velodrome transformed their sport, producing Olympic and world champions while also becoming a thriving hub for local clubs, schools, and community cyclists.
"Ireland now has the same opportunity, to build excellence at the highest level while making cycling more accessible than ever," he concluded, added Cycling Ireland was delighted and grateful the government was spending €100 million on the project.
Quilligan said today's event was "historic" for the sports of cycling and badminton, which will share the facility. "We believe this will inspire young riders, support our clubs, and provide the pathway from grassroots participation to international success," he added.
"It is the cornerstone we have been waiting for, and it has the potential to transform cycling in this country. We welcome today's historic announcement and look forward to working closely with Sport Ireland and especially Badminton Ireland, our new partners in this venture.
"This facility will serve as a hub of excellence and participation for both sports. We also wish to thank all the volunteers and supporters that have driven this project over the last number of years."
The sod turning is effectively the ceremonial start of the construction phase. The Government said just last week contractor Walls Construction would start the project proper early next year, now just a matter of weeks away.
