Shannon McCurley has said she felt her silver medal in the scratch race at the European Track Championships was a long time coming, adding she was overjoyed to make the podium in Holland last night.
McCurley, who has switched from being a pure track sprinter to endurance events, rode a clever race and had the legs to maintain it over the very difficult final laps.
In the closing stages of the 40-lap race she stayed on the wheel of eventual winner, Emily Nelson of Great Britain.
And while others in the race tried to come through and get up into the medals, the pace was too high.
Just behind McCurley, Maria Martins of Portugal took the bronze medal to round out the podium.
“With seven laps to go I was right at the back. I think I was hopeful that it was all going to go up and it did," Shannon McCurley said.
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"And I think with about three (laps) to go I spotted Emily shoot down the bottom.
"I knew she had good legs, she was coming into this strong, and that was the wheel I wanted to be on.
“Yeah, it's been a long time coming. As you saw me at the end of the race, I was speechless.”
McCurley also suggested to stickybottle that inner confidence was a big part of getting the medal.
"I think finally I just backed myself. I was relaxed going into the race and really wanted it. So I’m happy with silver, for now."
All photos by Drew Kaplan
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