Media Box Releases

Martyn Irvine Speaks to Irish Cycling Show ahead of his Olymic Hopes

Irish Olympic hopeful Martyn Irvine is gearing up for the 2012 London Olympics by competing in next week’s An Post Rás. The 26-year old originally form Newtownards in Co. Down, but who now lives in north Co. Dublin, says he is feeling confident ahead of his first Olympic challenge.

Irvine qualified earlier this year for the men's inaugural omnium event at the London Olympics.

He is a former road racer who only took up the gruelling six-discipline event 18 months ago, and finished seventh at the world track cycling championships in April.

Speaking exclusively to the Irish Cycling Show this week, Irvine says given track cycling is a first-time sport at the Olympics, it’s all up for grabs.

“I’m certainly hoping for a medal. I am based at my training camp here in Mallorca, I’m taking on the Rás challenge next week, then in July I’ll do a six-day race in Italy. I’m feeling very well and my fitness is improving with each day that passes. By the time August arrives I will be more than ready for the Olympic challenge.”

The omnium race comprising six races of various distances takes place over two days with three races on each day.

So how do you prepare yourself mentally for the Olympics? Irvine says, I’m really focused and I tend not to get too nervous. I’m not scared. It’s a great feeling to be an Irish Olympian. The fact that it’s in London adds to the occasion.”

Irvine says he has given his single ticket to fiance Grace.

Asked about the growth in cycling in Ireland, Irvine says ‘”I think the Irish Cycling Show is an awesome idea. Cycling in Ireland doesn’t have the profile that it deserves and this show will certainly bring the profile of the sport to a new level. So the more publicity it gets the better.”

Ireland’s first cycling show takes place in the RDS, Simmonscourt on May 19-20.  Visit www.irishcyclingshow.com 

 ENDS.

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Caption:

Session 3 of the 2012 UCI Track World Championships, Melbourne, Australia