Mark Downey and Felix English on the transformation in the fortunes of the Irish track team.
Having won the Madison event at the UCI World Cup in Los Angeles, Mark Downey and Felix English have said they’re looking forward to more success.
The Irish pair took victory ahead of Denmark and New Zealand.
Their victory continues an amazing run by Downey, who had already won two points race golds at the World Cup along with a silver in the madison with English last time out in Cali, Colombia.
“That was a class race, I enjoyed every minute of that one, for the first time in a Madison we were actually in control,” said Downey.
“After the fourth sprint we first tried out trade mark move, but it didn’t work and we were caught, but we nailed it again and it worked."
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Downey continued: “We picked up sprint points and on the way we got a lap with some more teams so it helped. The race relaxed after that with teams just going for sprints.
“With 20 laps to go the Swiss went for it but it was too early. The New Zealanders panicked and brought them back, that was perfect for us.
“As soon as they brought it back we went, it was all or nothing. We felt good out there, legs to burn. It was such a nice feeling winning with Felix; I’m ecstatic, very happy right now.”
English paid tribute to new Cycling Ireland wonder-coach David Muntaner, saying the win was down to the Spanish former world champion in the Madison.
“David’s training over the past two seasons has brought us from making up numbers to being some of the strongest track riders in the world,” he said.
“We really can’t thank him enough; he’s a great coach and friend.
“We won the last sprint and continued on to take the lap – we had the gas to keep going, and were just stronger out there than everyone else.
“It was a crazy race. We’re both ridiculously happy now.”
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