Shannon McCurley reflected on a challenging Olympic debut as the Australia-born Irishwoman exited from the Keirin first round.
The 24-year-old, whose parents are from Dublin and Belfast, was competing in the Keirin, which begins behind a motor-paced Derny bike, on day three at the Rio Velodrome.
She was fifth in her first-round heat, dropping into the repechage, which offered a second chance at progressing, although she failed to take advantage.
"It's been great. I'm stoked to just be here," said McCurley, whose Olympic target was always the Tokyo 2020 Games.
"It was good racing. It was tough. I don't think I raced to what I'm capable of.
"I put myself in there. I was feeling like I was coming home a lot harder and it wouldn't open up. It went well enough."
CORRECTION: 4th for McCurley on the line in the rep - just 0.008sec off CUB in 3rd. Impressive ride for the young rider. #CyclingTrack
— Cycling Ireland (@IreCyclingFed) August 13, 2016
McCurley will stay in Rio to watch training partners Fatehah Mustapa compete in the sprint and her fellow Malaysian Awang Azizulhasni ride in the men's Keirin.
Awang is a multiple world medallist and McCurley is confident.
"I'm backing him for the win," she said.
She also plans to go to the athletics competition.
She added: "I've got one of my best friends competing for Australia in the long jump (Brooke Stratton). I'm going to go to that final on the 17th as well."
McCurley now turns her attentions to Tokyo, saying: “I’ve got the taste for the Olympics now, I want so much more for Tokyo, I want to ride for a medal.
"The amount of support from everyone is overwhelming – from Australia and Ireland. I’m just sitting reading the messages with tears in my eyes. I would love to be racing this afternoon, I really wanted more, but I rode hard and gave it my all.”
McCurley's exit brings Ireland's involvement in the cycling competition to a close.
Dan Martin was 13th in the men's road race on day one, with Nicolas Roche 29th.
