Gillespie breaks through with first medal at elite World Champs | Video

Lara Gillespie has taken a medal for Ireland on the last day of competition at the UCI World Track Championships in Denmark today after placing 3rd in the points race.

While the 23-year-old from Co Wicklow had won a collection of medals as a junior and U23 at Worlds and Europeans, today's bronze is her first at an elite championships and represents a major breakthrough for her.

"I am so relieved with this medal because I knew I could do it and I have the legs and every time I'm racing, I’m getting closer and closer," she said.

"This medal means a lot to me and I’m so proud to do it for Ireland, we have a small but mighty team and all of us and the staff have put so much effort this year prepared for the Olympics and for our performance and development.

"I felt my coaches, and everyone here believed in me and that really drive me on the extra bit. I’m very grateful."

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Julie Leth se impone con maestría a Lotte Kopecky y se proclama campeona del mundo en puntuación ?#Ballerup2024 #TrackCycling pic.twitter.com/Cu9WrNw7wK

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) October 20, 2024

The world title was won by Julie Leth of Denmark from world road race champion, Lotte Kopecky (Belgium), with Gillespie 3rd, in a field that also included Ally Wollaston, the Kiwi who had already won the elimination race and omnium titles at these Worlds as well as Olympic champion Jennifer Valente (USA).

Of the 10 sprints in the 100-lap race, Gillespie scored points in five, winning sprints 6 and 10; the latter the final sprints with double points on offer, 10 in total, for the winner, which lifted Gillespie into the medal positions.

The Irish woman was also among 15 riders in the field to win 20 points for a lap gain and one of the 15, race winner Leth, was the only rider to secure two lap gains and the 40 points that went with it.

That meant Leth ended the event on a finally tally of 43 points, to Kopecky's 40 and Gillespie's 39 points; the Irish woman taking a medal that confirms her standing now as one of the best track riders in the world.