Lara Gillespie has won the bronze medal in the Points Race at the Track Cycling World Championships in Denmark.
The gold went to home favourite Julie Leth on 43 points, silver to Belgium's Lotte Kopecky on 40 points and Gillespie took bronze with 39
The 23-year old from Enniskerry, who also races on the road, has a very good record in the Points discipline having won the European Junior gold in 2018 and European under-23 gold last year.
In other disciplines this week, she finished fifth in the Elimination Race, eighth in the omnium and seventh in the Madison
She was also part of the Irish quartet that finished ninth in the team pursuit at the Paris Olympics, where she herself finished tenth in the Omnium.
Gillespie spoke of her relief at claiming a medal at a major championships.
"It feels phenomenal. I'm quite relieved to be coming home with something. I'm just so proud of us as a small team and for Ireland to finally win something this year.
"At the beginning of the year, I came back with three fourth places at the European Championships and you're not even bringing anything home. You know you're getting better each time and it can only get better from here.
"It's my first senior medal but as a team we've been working so hard this year preparing for the Olympics and the World Cups. It's a huge team effort and all the staff at Cycling Ireland, and also my road team really supported me this year.
"I am so relieved with this medal because I knew I could do it and I have the legs and every time I'm racing, I’m getting closer and closer.
"This medal means a lot to me and I’m so proud to do it for Ireland, we have a small but mighty team and all of us and the staff have put so much effort this year prepared for the Olympics and for our performance and development.
"I felt my coaches, and everyone here believed in me and that really drive me on the extra bit. I’m very grateful."
