Lara Gillespie claimed gold in the women’s Points Race at the 2026 UCI Track World Championships, bringing the competition to a successful close for UAE Team L’IMAD.
Representing Ireland, Gillespie secured the rainbow jersey with 42 points after a closely contested race on the final day in Shanghai.
Her victory came just days after she earned silver in the Scratch Race, giving her two medals at this year’s championships.
Across the competition, five UAE Team L’IMAD riders represented their respective national teams, collecting four medals: one gold, one silver and two bronze.
Lara Gillespie claims second career track world title
Gillespie entered the Points Race having already secured a podium finish earlier in the championships. She was also returning to an event where she had previously enjoyed world-level success, having won the Elimination Race world title in 2025.
The Irish rider delivered a tactically controlled performance in Shanghai, navigating a race that remained undecided until the closing stages.
She finished with 42 points, five clear of Denmark’s Amalie Dideriksen, who took silver with 37.
Belgium’s Shari Bossuyt completed the podium with 35 points, while Mexico’s Yareli Acevedo finished fourth with 13.
Another UAE Team L’IMAD rider, the Netherlands’ Sofie van Rooijen, placed fifth with 10 points.
The result gave Gillespie her second career track world title and another rainbow jersey for Ireland.
Gillespie reflects on her world championship victory
Following the race, Gillespie acknowledged the support she received throughout the season from both her national team and UAE Team L’IMAD.
Lara Gillespie said:
“I’m really happy to be wearing the track world champion’s jersey again. It’s an incredible feeling, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has worked with me throughout the season to achieve this great result at the end of a truly extraordinary year. From the national team staff to my UAE Team L’IMAD team, as well as my family, friends and boyfriend, everyone has helped me along the way. I’m proud and happy to finish on the top step of the podium. It’s always an honour to fly my country’s flag high and show that I can compete at the highest level.”
Scratch Race silver adds to Gillespie’s medal tally
Earlier in the championships, Gillespie came close to another world title in the women’s Scratch Race.
The Irish rider contested a sprint finish against the Netherlands’ Lorena Wiebes, with the result decided by a photo finish.
Wiebes narrowly took gold, leaving Gillespie with silver after a race that remained competitive until the final metres.
The result marked Gillespie’s first medal of the championships before she returned to win the Points Race.
In the same Scratch Race, young British rider Abigail Miller finished 17th.
Megan Jastrab secures first elite world medal
American rider Megan Jastrab added another podium result for UAE Team L’IMAD on Thursday, claiming bronze in the women’s Elimination Race.
Jastrab finished behind Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky, who won the world title, and Japan’s Yumi Kajihara, who took silver.
The bronze medal marked Jastrab’s first elite world championship medal, following a season disrupted by several injuries.
Jastrab celebrates return to the world podium
Reflecting on the achievement, Megan Jastrab said:
“I’m really proud to bring home a bronze medal in the Elimination Race. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has continued to believe in me and helped me get back to racing at this level, despite the many injuries I’ve suffered this year. It’s my first elite world medal, so I’m going to enjoy it for a while.”
Abigail Miller also competed in the Elimination Race, finishing ninth.
Sofie van Rooijen takes bronze in 1km Time Trial
Dutch rider Sofie van Rooijen secured UAE Team L’IMAD’s fourth medal of the championships with bronze in the women’s 1km Time Trial.
Competing against established track sprint specialists, Van Rooijen produced a time of 1:05.398, averaging 55.048 km/h.
Germany’s Pauline Sophie Grabosch won the world title in 1:04.572, recording an average speed of 55.752 km/h.
Silver went to the Netherlands’ Hetty van de Wouw, who finished 0.651 seconds behind Grabosch.
Van Rooijen was just 0.826 seconds off the winning time, securing third place.
Van Rooijen exceeds her expectations
Van Rooijen entered the competition aiming to qualify for the final, making her podium finish an unexpected achievement.
Sofie van Rooijen said:
“I started out hoping to finish in the top eight and qualify for the final. I never imagined I could win a medal here, competing against some real sprint specialists. I’m absolutely delighted and surprised to have won this medal!”
Further results for UAE Team L’IMAD riders in Shanghai
Beyond the four medals, the team’s riders recorded several additional results across the championships.
Gillespie finished fifth in the Omnium, adding another top-five result to her Shanghai campaign.
Jastrab was also competing in the Omnium but suffered a major crash during its opening event. The American sustained bruises and abrasions that affected the remainder of her championships, including her participation in the Madison the following day.
Van Rooijen narrowly missed another medal, finishing fourth in the Team Pursuit, while Alena Ivanchenko placed 14th in her event.
The championships concluded with UAE Team L’IMAD riders earning podium finishes across four different disciplines, highlighting their performances on the international track stage.
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