Quartet make Irish cycling history as they narrowly miss out on progression

"We have a Whatsapp group with our fitness coach and it's called '4:12', that's been the target on the dartboard. To work together and see that through is really amazing."

Ireland’s Lara Gillespie, Mia Griffin,Kelly Murphy and Alice Sharpe in action during the team pursuit. Picture: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Lara Gillespie, Mia Griffin, Kelly Murphy and Alice Sharpe made history for Irish cycling on Tuesday as the first quartet to compete in an Olympic women's team pursuit.

A seven-year journey which started with a talent identification scheme in 2017 reached a climax with a new national record of 4:12.447 on the boards of the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome.