Shannon McCurley with her game face on alongside Cycling Ireland technical director Brian Nugent in Rio.
The sole representative for Ireland on the track at the Rio Olympics, sprinter Shannon McCurley has been in action on the velodrome today in the heats of the keirin event.
The Irish sprinter took up 3rd position behind the derny when the race began and she held that place well until the motorbike pulled off on the third last lap of 8.
However, when the other riders surged forward in the battle for position, McCurley lost her place a little after being boxed in.
She found herself on the back of a cluster of riders but sensibly retained a position right at the bottom of the track and was ready to pounce if a gap opened up along that inside line.
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Unfortunately that scenario did not eventuate for her, with the competition at this level intense and only two to advance to the next round there was no quarter given.
And when it became clear rounding the last bend in the final surge to the finish line that McCurley would not take one of the top two places, the Olympic debutant eased back a little to preserve her kick for repechage.
There were four heats earlier today with the first two riders from each advancing to the next round.
However, those who missed out now go forward to the repechage. It involves four more heats with just the winner of each to go forward.
It means competition for those wins will be fierce, with McCurley now facing another very tough challenge a little later (just minutes after 3pm).
However, she has done incredibly well to get to these Olympics and she remains in the fight.
The repechage takes place immediately; the first of four heats at 2.50pm Irish time. McCurley goes in heat 4 which was due to take place just a couple of minutes after 3pm Irish time.
