Elite National Track Championships 2016
Zaidan Wins National Title:
The Arcane Cycling Team Won Three Medals at the Elite National Track Cycling Championships at Sundrive Velodrome this weekend (Sat 27 / Sun 28).
Former Junior Champion Darragh Zaidan Won his first Elite Championships by Winning the Elite National Pursuit Title on Saturday.
Zaidan Qualified for the Gold / Silver Ride-off with the fastest time , but he still had to put up a massive fight against Con Collis (UCD) in the final , where Zaidan was trailing until the final lap – where he finally overalled Collis to become Irish Track Champion.
Tony Mairs and Marc O’Brien were competing in the Sprint , and both qualified for the last 16 .
O’Brien (Riding in his first Nationals) was knocked out by eventual Bronze Medallist Ronan Sherman (Sundrive Track Team).
Tony Mairs knocked out defending Champion Eamonn Byrne (Sundrive Track Team) 2 -1 to set up a Gold / Silver Ride against Irish International Eoin Mullen.
However , Mairs was unable to compete in the final due to illness , and was awarded the Silver Medal (His highest ever National placing).
Zaidan also competed in the Scratch Race on Sunday , and soon went clear of the quality field in a four man break .
Pre race favourites Zaidan and Javan Nulty (SC DE NICE JOLLYWEAR / France) went in to the final lap locked in a sprint to the line , with Nulty edging Zaidan at the finish.