Damien Vereker set new National record, Martin Gordon delighted with warm-up
Picture: ©inpho/casey New Qualification Record: men's B 4000m And Mclaughlin Set Pursuit Damien Nr Mitchell Pilot A Gibson Pb Individual Race Vereker Ireland’s National To And B
Team Ireland had two representatives in the qualifying round for Men’s B 4000m Individual Pursuit.
An incredible performance from Damien Vereker, piloted by Mitchell McLaughlin, saw the pair not only set a new personal best but also a new national record. They posted a time of 4:14.817, which saw them finish in seventh place overall.
Speaking to RTÉ post race, Vereker enjoyed the experience dispite the conditions.
"The throat is a bit dry at the moment but the track is just horrible. It was some experience, it was unreal. Just try not to overcook it at the start, try to keep the start controlled, I think I messed up the gate. I didn't leave it panick me, just kept into the plan, to keep control for the first four laps and then unleash and with this crowd you just feed of it, it's just amazing, it's crazy."
Vereker went on to say that the crowd and the atmosphere was a motivator when the legs started to hurt.
"Definitely yeah you could, it was amazing. It just got louder and louder and you didnt feel the pain in your legs, it was just incredible."
Sprint specialists Martin Gordon, piloted by Eoin Mullen, used the event as a warm up ahead of their primary event - the Men’s B 1000m Time Trial, which will take place on Sunday. The pair finished in a time of 5:27.654 for 12th place.
Speaking to RTÉ after the race Gordon was delighed to get up and running in the games.
"We got a good hit out at the start, the first 500m which is closer to our event distance and just cruised after that.
"It was an opportunity to go through the full race day warm-up, full race day circumstances, get used to the venue so it was all pluses. Today is bonus stuff."
Earlier at the velodrome, Richael Timothy progressed to the C1-3 3000m Women’s Individual Pursuit Final when she recorded a personal best time of 4.05.247 in her heat coming 7th overall.