Ireland's JB Murphy has enjoyed a breakthrough ride in his career after taking a bronze medal in the scratch race at the European Track Championships this evening.
While the young Irishman has taken medals as a junior at both the Europeans and the Worlds, today's superb performance in Grenchen, Switzerland, was the first time he had won a medal at an elite championships.
The medal win once again underlines his versatility as he has been national cyclocross champion and ridden the Worlds at that discipline. He is also an U23 international on the road and was part of the Irish team that rode Tour de l'Avenir this year.
Today on the track he lit up the race over the last 10 laps, showing no fear and real class to ride away from the field. He seized the bronze medal after two others - Rui Oliveira of Portugal and Vincent Hoppezak of the Netherlands - had gained a lap to wrap up the gold and silver.
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Oliveira - a WorldTour rider with UAE Team Emirates who rode Paris-Roubaix last weekend - was the first to gain a lap.
Vincent Hoppezak then attacked later in the race and he just about gained a lap, getting onto the back of the bunch with 10 laps remaining after dangling off the back of the group for a long time.
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And just after the Dutch rider clawed his way into the group to complete his lap gain, Murphy went for broke. He threw in a big attack, with nobody else willing or able to follow the Irish 21-year-old.
He immediately got a gap and while there were attacks after him he simply powered away. Behind him, Oliveira soon began chasing down some of those trying to go after Murphy in a bid to protect his gold medal.
Murphy looked for a time like he may gain a lap himself, such was the power of his attack. However, when the speed in the bunch ramped up in the last couple of laps, his advantage was cut back a little.
But he still had plenty to spare in the end, finishing the race about half a lap up on the bunch and doing enough over his long attack to take the bronze medal; Oliveira taking gold and Hoppezak the silver.
Murphy's medal was the second bronze for Ireland of these championships as the Irish female team pursuit line-up beat Great Britain in the bronze medal ride-off yesterday.
More to come.
