Lara Gillespie claims silver at U23 European Track Cycling Championships

Ireland's Lara Gillespie claimed a silver medal at the Under-23 European Track Cycling Championships on Tuesday after finishing second in the individual pursuit in Holland.

Italian rider Silvia Zanardi took gold, but this was another hugely encouraging result for Gillespie.

Zanardi produced a blistering last kilometre to cross the line in 3.33.359, with Gillespie clocking 3.36.804.

Last October the Enniskerry rider sprinted to victory in the Senior Women's National Championship.

Gillespie has previous in European competition.

At the 2018 European Junior Track Championships she won gold in the points race and silver in the individual pursuit. A year later she picked up three silvers in the points race, scratch race and individual pursuit.

She also won bronze in the individual pursuit at the 2019 Junior Track World Championships in Frankfurt.