Home is where Downey’s heart is, but all eyes still on Tokyo

Mark Downey of Ireland celebrates after winning gold in the 2017 UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Cali, Colombia. Picture: Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images

For five years, Mark Downey had been living life with his thumb on the fast forward button. Now everything is on pause.

Still a teenager when he left home for the continent and life on the road, the Dromore man has made two of himself ever since with commitments on the track for Cycling Ireland juggled with the twin path of road cycling for a succession of pro and amateur teams.