Ireland's Lara Gillespie unable to defend her European track title

Lara Gillespie (Ireland) wins Gold at the  2025 UEC Track Elite European Championships Pic: 

World and European Track Elimination champion Lara Gillespie will not be defending her continental title in Turkey next month because of commitments to her road team UAE Team DAQ.

The 24-year old claimed her European crown in February of 2025 in Belgium and followed it up with the global equivalent in Chile in October.

She was also on the shortlist for the Olympic Federation of Ireland's female athlete of the year.

“It will be a shame not to see Lara compete in the rainbow jersey at this event in defending her European title, along with another regular teammate, Mia Griffin,” said Cycling Ireland national track coach Dan Henchy.

Both are on duty with their road teams so unable to make the trip to Konya. Nevertheless, it’s positive to be fielding a large team comprised mostly of younger riders looking to emulate their achievements in the future.” 

Gillespie had a brilliant year on the road as well as the track in 2025. She claimed third place in stage four of the Tour de France Feminine, won the sprints jersey at the UAE Tour Women and claimed other podiums at big races.

There was the win at the A Travers les Hauts de France, runners-up spots at Binche-Chimay- Binche and La Choralis Fourmies Feminine, plus other notable finishes in the Points and Madison races at the big track meets.

Nine athletes will represent Ireland in Konya in her’s and Griffin’s absence.

“We’re looking forward to build on a productive 2025 spent developing new riders and bringing them through our High Performance pathway,” said Henchy. “The size of the squad and the selection of male riders is a testimony to that progress over the last year.” 

Women’s Endurance:

Lucy Benezet Minns, Erin Creighton, Emma Jeffers, Fiona Mangan, Aoife O’Brien, Caoimhe O’Brien, Esther Wong.

Men’s Endurance:

Matti Dobbins, Max Fitzgerald.