Ryan Dominates Qualifying Heat, Finishes 16th in Final at UCI Track Cycling World Cup Guadalajara

Ireland's top female track cyclist, Caroline Ryan, showed strong form, winning her Qualifying Heat in the Scratch Race, and finishing 16th overall at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Guadalajara, last night. Gold Medal winner Xiao Juan Diao (HKG) and Silver Medallist Jannie Salcedo (COL) lapped the field; Evgeniya Romanyuta (RUS) won Bronze. Ryan Mullen also competed, testing his legs in the Elite Men's Points Race, where he was forced to withdraw after a crash at the halfway mark.

Ryan, who is ranked number two in the World Rankings for Individual Pursuit, won a bronze medal in that category at the World Cup in Agualascientes, Mexico, in December. A strong performance in the Heat of the Scratch Race saw her qualify for the Final with the fastest time, and a brave move in the closing laps of the Finals almost worked out for the active rider.

Speaking from the Velodrome in Mexico, Head Coach Brian Nugent said "Caroline was very active in the final, and made a great attack with 5 laps to go, only getting caught with 125 metres to go. We're very pleased with her form ahead of the World Champs."

Talented young track rider Mullen was riding strongly in the Points Race Final before he was involved in a crash. Nugent said "Ryan had a difficult debut at his first World Cup. He was very comfortable with the pace, and was performing strong, but bad luck saw Ryan crash out of the race at half distance. He's patched up and looking forward to the pursuit in the morning."

Mullen will be competing in the Qualifying Rounds of the Individual Pursuit later on today. At the European U23 Track Cycling Championships last year Mullen won a Bronze Medal in this discipline, along with a Bronze in the Scratch Race.

Regular team members Eoin Mullen and World Champion Martyn Irvine are missing this final World Cup in the Series, with Irvine focusing on his preparation for the World Championships in Cali next February, and Mullen racing in Australia, working towards the Rio qualification process next year.

The World Cup takes place in Guadalajara, Mexico, and will run from the 17th - 19th January.