TALENTED young cyclist Poppy Hamilton travelled with the Ulster team to compete in the School Games 2024.
She competed in the sprint events on the track and also had the honour of leading Ulster into the opening ceremony on Thursday night.
Friday morning was the opening day at the velodrome and she kicked it off with a new Irish U-16 record in the f200 qualifier to finish 7th overall out of 20 riders.
Those who beat her are all a year older. This result set her up for the quarter finals, when she won two of her three heats to put her in 8th overall for the match sprints, something no rider from Ulster has achieved!
After lunch she was up in the kerin finals, again bossing it, winning two of her three races for another incredible result and that concluded the first day of racing.
The second day kicked off with the team sprint, an event run with three girls in and they rode a superb race to finish 7th out of all the regions in the UK, with only 2 seconds separating them from the podium.
After this they all rode the team pursuit, which again produced an incredible ride for 6th overall.
The final day was the drag strip sprints. Poppy made the semi-finals, only to be beaten by the girl who went on to win the overall title.
It was a very memorable weekend for the Annalong cyclist, who starts year 11 at Kilkeel High School this week.
