Golden boy Irvine rules the world
The 27-year-old from Newtownards, Co Down, won silver in the individual pursuit which was won by reigning champion Michael Hepburn, but to just qualify for that final was an achievement for Irvine, who set a new national record and personal best for the 4k test in the process.
His time of 4:20.260 was almost four seconds faster that what he did for the final later on in the day and many assumed that would be his lot as he stood on the podium to get his medal.
Before he did so, however, he was seen getting his race numbers clipped onto his back for the 15 Scratch race, which came less than an hour after his exhausting ride against Australia’s Hepburn.
But Irvine took to the start and blasted a furious pace right from the outset of the 60 lap race and with 10 laps to go, saw his chance, tore off the front and in one of the most gutsy rides of his life, stayed clear until the finish — just holding off Andreas Mueller (Austria).
“I’m not sure it’s hit me yet. I don’t know what to say, I just can’t believe I’m standing here with a rainbow jersey,” Irvine said afterwards.
“Once I went, it was all or nothing. I didn’t look back. It was full gas. I saw a shadow on my hip with two laps to go and I just dug a bit more.
“I was waiting for a crowd of people to pass me, but they never did and I’m looking forward to seeing the video.”
The success of Irvine, who was signed by second-tier road team United Health Care late last year, is all the more remarkable as Ireland’s overall annual budget is in the region of €100,000, something which pales into insignificance in comparison to their neighbours across the Irish Sea.
Irvine said: “I’ve been racing with them (Britain) for two or three years now. It’s some set-up. That put fire in my belly to do the best I could with the little I had,” he added.
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