The new, youthful, Irish team pursuit line-up selected for the European Track Championships in Belgium has ridden well enough in qualifying to progress to the new round of the competition.
Aoife O'Brien, Esther Wong, Emma Jeffers and Erin Creighton were stepping onto the track as a completely new selection in Zolder today.
Indeed, it was O'Brien's elite debut and the qualifying round was the first time that Jeffers have ever ridden for Ireland.
They finished 8th, with eight to qualify, meaning they will compete again in 'Round One' tomorrow; a very useful second outing at a major championship for an experimental line-up.
Related News
The Irish foursome were 14.438 seconds behind fastest qualifiers, Germany, who clocked 4:14.994, just 0.042 ahead of Italy, with Great Britain 3rd at 3.751.
The four riders, and others, are now expected to form part of Cycling Ireland's longer team plan to grow the women's endurance track group with eyes firmly fixed on qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Mia Griffin was set to compete in the scratch race on Wednesday evening.
More to come.
Team Pursuit | Qualifying
