Lara Gillespie To Compete At Track World Championships
The Irish cyclist heads to Shanghai this week to compete in multiple events, starting with the scratch race on Wednesday.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Cycling
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Lara Gillespie will join a five-rider Irish team at the UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai starting Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The 25-year-old cyclist is set to participate in the Omnium, points race, and scratch race.
Why it matters
Gillespie arrives at the global competition following a series of high-level performances on both road and track surfaces. Her inclusion in the Irish squad highlights her continued transition from road racing success back to the velodrome.
Gillespie enters the championships having secured nine second-place road finishes in 2026 and a track silver medal earlier this month. The scratch race is scheduled to begin at 11.59am on Wednesday.
The players
Lara Gillespie
She is an Irish cyclist who previously secured a track elimination race world title and has demonstrated recent success in road and track disciplines.
Lorena Wiebes
She is a professional cyclist who holds the scratch race world title after winning the event in 2024 and 2025.
Fiona Mangan
She is a member of the Irish Team Pursuit squad participating in the track cycling championships.
Emma Jeffers
She is an athlete representing the Irish Team Pursuit squad at the international event in Shanghai.
Aoife O'Brien
She is a cyclist competing as part of the Irish team in the pursuit event.
The details
The Irish Team Pursuit squad, consisting of Fiona Mangan, Emma Jeffers, Aoife O'Brien, and Esther Wong, is also slated to compete at the event. Gillespie, who won a world title in the elimination race 12 months ago in Chile, will be testing her speed against defending scratch race world champion Lorena Wiebes.
Timeline
The UCI Track World Championships begin in Shanghai on October 14, 2026.
The scratch race takes place on October 14, 2026, at 11.59am.
The Team Pursuit squad competes at 3.30am Irish time.
Season Trajectory
The championships serve as the latest high-stakes test for riders transitioning between road and track schedules this year. Gillespie's performance in Shanghai will influence her standing in the international rankings as the global cycling season draws to a close.
The performance of the Irish Team Pursuit squad at 3.30am Irish time will determine their qualification standing for future elite track events. Gillespie's participation in the Omnium and scratch race will provide a direct test of her form against established world champions.
The takeaway
Lara Gillespie enters the championships with significant momentum from her recent road and track results. Fans should watch the scratch race closely to see if challengers can unseat the defending world champion.
Further reading
For more on international racing updates, visit the Cycling section.
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