Former UCD Ad Astra cyclist Lara Gillespie claims first rainbow jersey with gold at Track World Championships
24 October 2025
Ireland has a new world champion after UCD alumni Lara Gillespie secures gold in the elimination race at the Track World Championship.
The former UCD Ad Astra Academy Elite Sports Scholar and reigning European champion is Ireland's first Track World Champion in more than a decade.
Lara secured her first rainbow jersey - the symbol of a current UCI World Champion - in the elimination race by seeing off Katie Archibald of Great Britain, who came second, and Belgium's Helene Hesters.
A graduate of UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science and former UCD Cycling Club member, the Wicklow cyclist kept pace with the two-time Olympic medallist as the pair rounded the final bend of the track before speeding away in the closing stages.
“It’s really special and I’m so proud of my country and our small team here,” said Lara. “It took focus and composure and I maintained my determination and belief throughout.”
Your Women's Elimination race podium at (opens in a new window)#Santiago2025
— UCI Track Cycling (@UCI_Track) (opens in a new window)October 24, 2025
Lara Gillespie 🇮🇪
Katie Archibald 🇬🇧
Helene Hesters 🇧🇪
SWpix (opens in a new window)pic.twitter.com/OWbwXkufll
One of the toughest challenges in cycling, the UCI elimination race saw 24 competitors begin. Every two laps, the cyclist in last place is eliminated.
The 24-year-old’s victory in Chile comes after she made history earlier in the year by becoming the first Irish cyclist to take gold at the European track championships.
The Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholarship programme at University College Dublin supports students who are competing and succeeding at the highest sporting levels.
It is the University’s flagship scholarship programme.
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
