It's a mark of how far Lara Gillespie has come - and perhaps the shift in expectations at the top of Irish cycling - that her brilliant performance in the Olympic Games omnium today will be tinged with some disappointment.
The Wicklow woman, who turned 23-years-old back in April, went on the attack in both the tempo race, which she won, and in the concluding points race in Paris this afternoon, gaining a lap in both races.
And when she took that lap in the points race, the last of the four events that make up the omnium, she was in 4th place overall. Gillespie was just three points off bronze at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome, and we dared to dream.
Unfortunately, in what became an increasingly chaotic points race, as is the tradition, the field fractured, others gained laps and the big riders monstered up the sprint points on offer.
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And that saw Gillespie drop gradually down the standings, to a final finish of 10th place; a solid springboard for the future, though - very encouragingly - she looked like she was better than 10th best today.
The gold medal went to America's queen of the track; that medal machine that is Jennifer Valente. She won the omnium crown back in Tokyo 2020 and was already a gold medal winner at this Games before today, in the team pursuit.
Valente topped the standings today with 144 points, having won elimination race and scratch race and been 2nd in Gillespie in the tempo race. Poland's Daria Pikulik took silver after scoring a massive 59 points in the points race, including 40 for two lap gains, bringing her overall total to 131.
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And the bronze medal was secured by Ally Wollaston of New Zealand. Again, like the Pole in the silver medal position, the Kiwi kept the best until last, with a score of 51 points in the points race, including two lap gains, for a final total of 125 points after the four events.
For the Irish woman in the field, the day began with a 15th place in the scratch race, which was underwhelming by Gillespie's standards on both track and road. But the Irish woman came back strong in the tempo race; attacking before the first sprint and taking those sprint points on the way to gaining a lap.
And that from point she had built an unassailable lead to win that event; the first ever race win by an Irish cyclist at an OIympic Games. Next up was the elimination race, with the last rider over the line at every sprint going out of the race.
Gillespie planted herself on, or near the front, for much of that contest and was comfortably staying in as rider after rider fell by the wayside. And though she lost her place a little after the halfway point, she still looked to be riding within herself mid-pack to avoid elimination at the sprints.
However, her time eventually came - much earlier than it should have - when she was caught out and eliminated with just nine riders on the track. She looked surprised to be out, gesturing with her hand; a clear indication she could have taken more from the race.
And when the last race of the day, the all important points race, commenced, Gillespie was soon on the attack again, with Anita Stenberg or Norway. Those two pulled away, with Stenberg and Gillespie 1st and 2nd - for 5 and 3 points - at the third sprint of eight.
And having opened a large gap on the field, they persevered with their attack, latching on to the back of the pack with 45 laps to go. That lap gain secured both riders 20 points, along with their sprint points, and suddenly Gillespie had 99 points and was 3rd overall.
Unfortunately, that's where the points dried up for the Irish rider, who finished the event on a total of 99 points, for 10th overall in a 22-rider field.
