Irish Riders Race in Cali

The Irish Team consists of two riders, Martyn Irvine and Ciara Horne, while the Irish based Cunga Team will be represented by Caroline Ryan.

Irvine will race in the Omnium event, which kicks off today with a Points qualifying event. The omnium is a new introduction to the Olympic Games, and comprises of 6 events over 2 days, with riders gaining points in each event. Irvine is consistently strong in this event, and recently achieved 5th place in the European Championships. However, a stroke of bad luck in the Astana World Cup resulted in his disqualification following failure to pull off the track in time in the elimination race.

On the back of an intense training camp in Majorca, Irvine is intent on stamping his mark in Cali, and securing some top valuable qualifying points for the Olympic Games next August.

Ciara Horne is racing in the Individual Pursuit. The young UK based rider won a silver medal at the National Championships last summer, and represented Ireland at the European U23 Championships. Horne made a name for herself on the Team Pursuit Squad that was moving from strength to strength last season before they ran out of time to qualify for the Olympics, following a strong performance in the Points race at the World Cup in Astana, Horne is racing in the Individual Pursuit in Cali.

Cunga's Caroline Ryan, who is also a member of Garda CC, will also be racing in the individual pursuit. Ryan is the current National Champion, and raced this event at the World Championships last year.