Downey replaces injured Irvine as Ireland begin World Cup campaign

Sean Downey will replace the injured Martyn Irvine in Ireland’s Men’s Team Pursuit in the second round of the UCI Track World Cup in London this weekend.

The four-man Irish team was named yesterday.

Downey committed to Cycling Ireland’s 2016 Olympic programme in recent months and he will get a chance to show his worth when he links up with Thomas Fallon, Cormac Clarke and Javan Nulty for the 4km test against the clock in tomorrow’s qualifying session.

The loss of Irvine is massive but also the omission of Ryan Mullen is notable. High Performance coach Brian Nugent has opted to rest his young protege after what has been a mammoth season that saw him claim silver in the World U23 TT Championships in September.

In other team news, Eoin Mullen is in action in the sprint events (keirin and sprint) and he won’t need telling how important this weekend is for him. The Aran Islander won a bronze medal at the European Championships in July but he’ll need to find another gear this weekend to replicate that feat.

The women’s Team Pursuit squad is yet to be named with five in contention for four slots.

They are; Caroline Ryan, Lydia Boylan, Lauren Creamer, Melanie Spath and rising teenage sensation Josie Knight.

Ryan also races in the Omnium while Shannon McCurley will race the Keirin. Knight has been given the nod to compete in the Points Race while Lydia Boylan takes part in the Scratch race.

This weekend’s event kick off tomorrow and runs until Sunday.

The Track World Cup is being held at the Lee Valley VeloPark — as the London 2012 Olympic Velodrome is now known.