15th For Ryan in Omnium At UCI Track Cycling World Cup - Guadalajara

Caroline Ryan closed the Women's Omnium at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Guadalajara with a 14th place finish in the Points Race, leaving her in 15th position overall. This brought to a close an eventful opener in the Track Cycling World Cup Series, which saw strong performances across all disciplines, alongside the unfortunate crash involving Martyn Irvine. Sunday's racing saw Ryan in action in Day two of the Women's Omnium, while Ireland's two top sprinters were also in action, Shannon McCurley in the Keirin and Eoin Mullen in the Sprint event, where they finished 21st and 30th respectively. The World Cup ran from 7th - 9th November.

In the Women's Omnium Ryan had a strong start, with a particularly impressive Individual Pursuit, which was just outside the National Record. With all the top riders in the world present and fighting for valuable qualifying points for the Olympic Games, the competition was tough.

Speaking after her race Head Cycling Ireland Coach Brian Nugent said "Caroline made a huge jump in the endurance events, she was top ten in the Europeans and this World Cup at the end of day one, which is predominantly and endurance day. We now need to make more gains in her less favourite events and on the second day."

Both Mullen and McCurley performed strongly throughout the weekend, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the next rounds. Nugent was pleased with their progress saying "Eoin and Shannon both showed good improvements from the Europeans and are starting to get in the mix in their events."

Meanwhile Irvine is back in Ireland recovering from the crash in which he broke his collarbone. Nugent is confident of a good recovery saying "Martyn's crash in the Omnium was untimely. Two guys crashed in front of him and he had nowhere to go, that's bike racing! He's already home and getting the best treatment. This is going to affect his track racing for London, but Martyn bounces back very well. He will have every opportunity to be back in top form by the Worlds."

Although Irvine will miss the next Track Cycling World Cup in London Nugent is already looking forward "There will obviously be a rejig in the Team Pursuit for London, but this is an opportunity for the younger guys to gain experience while Martyn focuses on recovery. With the women's Team Pursuit there will also be more depth, with one of our best younger riders coming in. That team will progress before London."

Overall Nugent is happy with the progress being made by the whole team; "Having analysed the performances, we put a plan in place ahead of London, and are confident that we can make the improvements needed."

The second round in the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Series takes place in London from the 5-7th December.