Philip’s cycling career takes a different ‘track’

Ahoghill man Philip Bremner has been making considerable strides in track racing circles after swapping road racing for the velodrome last year.

Earlier this month, his track racing career reached a new peak when he won a bronze medal in the All-Ireland Olympic Omnium Championships in Dublin.

“I was really pleased to come third, particularly because I was up against the top Irish riders, who would have a lot more experience than I do,” Philip told Times Sport.

The two day event saw Philip sitting fifth overall after the first day’s action which saw took in a flying 250m event (where he finished second), a 30km points race (fifth) and an elimination race (10th).

On the Sunday, he maintained his position by finishing fifth in the 4km pursuit race but then improved his standing by winning the men’s 15km scratch race and finishing fourth in the kilo time trial to finish third in the overall championship.

“I initially started off last year doing track racing for a bit of fun.

“I decided I would try a race and ended up winning my first three so I stuck at it.”

“The All-Ireland was only my sixth time racing on the track so I’m please with how it’s going.

“The championships were held over the same distances as the events in the Olympics so it was nice to have a go at what the top cyclists will be doing during the Games.”

Travelling plays a large part in the former Ballymena Road Club member’s cycling career - he’s now a member of the Lakeland club based in Enniskillen!

“I know it’s not exactly on the doorstep of Ahoghill, but they’ve looked after me well,” says Philip, who reveals he hasn’t totally abandoned his road racing roots.

“It’s not always easy getting to practise on the track - there’s one at Orangefield in Belfast but other than that it would be mainly Dublin so I would still train on the roads as part of my training.

“I might also take in a few open road races but again that’s just for training purposes. The road racing has helped me with the tactical side of track racing,” adds Philip, who has targeted the forthcoming national championships in September as his next major event.

* Philip has thanked the following individuals and organisations for their help and support: Lakeland Cycling Club and Lakeland Bikes; Equinox Wheels for sponsoring the top-of-the-range wheels he uses when competing in track cycling; Performance Nutrition Plus, Cookstown, for sponsored supplements; Mobile Teeth Whitening NI; and his family and friends for their encouragement and support.