The Downey family has had no shortage of cycling success, but a Worlds medal is special and the BBC turned out for Mark Downey’s family homecoming.
Having come so close to a Commonwealth Games road race medal last April but ultimately head home empty handed, Mark Downey has just experienced a different sort of homecoming.
Ireland’s World Track Championships bronze medallist was met at Belfast Airport by his family for scenes of celebration.
And this time the BBC cameras were there to document his achievement.
It was well deserved recognition that was repeated by RTE in Dublin for Lydia Boylan; silver medal winner at the same Worlds in Poland last weekend.
“It was definitely a great feeling being home with a medal and to see the reaction of the family,” Downey told stickybottle.
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With father Seamus an Olympian and brother Mark a former An Post-Chainreaction rider and bronze medal winner at the Commonwealth Games, the Downey family is steeped in cycling.
It means all of them understand and truly appreciate what has just been achieved.
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“I went to see my granny and she was crying; that’s when it always hits me,” Downey explained of coming home from Poland with a points race medal.
“You see what you’ve achieved and what it means to the people around me. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about; competing at the top level of my sport.
“And deep down knowing that I can win now is a serious positive step in the right direction.
“I’m already buzzing to start the whole process of building up again for major competition and goals and trying to outdo myself.
“That’s what I love most about the sport; when you master the process and the results to come with it.”
Asked what was next, Downey said he would hit the pause button for now; but not for long.
“It’s time for a week or so of down time before I join my EvoPro Racing team mates and we can start the road season.”
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