Lara Gillespie claims silver for Ireland at Track World Championships

Gillespie finished second in the scratch race behind Lorena Wiebes of the Netherlands who won her third consecutive title

Lara Gillespie: 'I wouldn't normally say scratch is my favourite race but I'm really proud of how I rode.'  Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Lara Gillespie won a silver medal in the scratch race at the UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai, China.

The 24-strong field featured last year’s winner Lorena Wiebes of the Netherlands and reigning European champion Hélène Hesters of Belgium. 

The 40-lap race got off to a steady start with no major attacks coming until late on as French rider Valentine Fortin attacked with seven laps to go, followed by Wiebes. 

The attack was quickly shut down by Gillespie and the main group as the speed continued to rise. Wiebes attacked again with two to go, followed closely by Gillespie and Portugal’s Maria Martins.

The event came down to a photo finish as Wiebes took her third title in a row with Gillespie taking silver and Martins bronze.

"I wouldn't normally say scratch is my favourite race but I'm really proud of how I rode today, representing Ireland as best I could," she said.

"Of course it was so close and I don't think I've ever been so angry to take silver at a World Championships, but I think I can be proud of how I raced. It gives me confidence for the races coming up."

Gillespie returns to the track on Friday for the omnium event and Sunday for the points race.

The quartet of Aoife O’Brien, Emma Jeffers, Esther Wong and Fiona Mangan were in action earlier in the morning for the team pursuit. A crash for O’Brien saw the remaining three riders offered a re-run where they took 16th place with a time of 4:27.39.

Ireland will have a rider on track tomorrow morning at 11.30am for the elimination race.

Emma Jeffers takes to the track on Saturday morning, 4am Irish time, for the kilo TT.

Fiona Mangan is also in action on Saturday, riding the individual pursuit at 6.23am.