The strong Irish showing in the recent world track championships and in earlier events is reflected by the confirmation that Kelly Murphy is now ranked number one in the world for the women's individual pursuit.
Murphy has amassed a total of 1940 points, 340 more than second-placed rider Lisa Brennauer of Germany. Murphy's teammate Mia Griffin is a fine third, 80 points behind Brennauer.
Murphy’s total is made up of the points she got for sixth place in the individual pursuit at the world championships (650 points) and sixth in the European championships (390) this month, first in the Irish national championships in August (100) plus first in the Nations Cup race held in St. Petersburg in Russia in July (800).
Griffin’s points are from eighth in the world championships and European championships respectively (550 points and 330 points), as well as third in the same Nations Cup race (640).
Ireland is also second in the overall nations’ rankings for individual pursuit. Germany leads on 4550 points, with Ireland on 3760 and Colombia on 2830.
It is fifth in the team pursuit rankings, with the points from fifth in the world championships, third in the European championships plus team pursuit victory in the Nations Cup race in St. Petersburg amongst the contributing performances.
The country is still without an indoor velodrome, putting it at a competitive disadvantage to the other nations.
