Kay 12th at Worlds and heading 'in the right direction'

Emily Kay finished 12th in the Women' Omnium on Friday at the Track World Championships in Paris.

The Irish rider took on a world class field with her fourth place finish in the tempo race the highlight of day three in the French capital, having competed in four races across the third day of competition – a scratch, tempo, elimination, and points race.

Kay finished 17th in the scratch race, managing to join a select group of five riders that distanced the main bunch after less than ten laps, winning two sprints as the group lapped the rest to gain 20 points each and finish with 22 points.

Heading into the elimination race, Kay sat on 42 points and eighth place in the standings, 30 points from the early leader, and she impressed a 10th place showing to leave her in ninth in the standings heading into the deciding points race.

Kay rode well in a high-paced finale but was unable to get into a break from the bunch and earn lap points, finishing 12th overall.

The Coventry born cyclist believes that her showing can be a 'stepping stone in the right direction'.

"The day had some good bits and some bad bits," said Kay. "I had a frustrating scratch (race), I nearly got taken out of it in the last lap. I took a lap on the tempo, 10th in the elimination and then just a really hot points race.

"I think I’m happy (with where I am). Off the back of the Olympics last year, I had a bit of a difficult time so I’m still finding back up. It’s a good marker, I don’t think that I’m too far off being competitive so it’s a stepping stone in the right direction.

On Saturday, Ireland conclude their World Championships in a busy day of racing – kicking off with Orla Walsh in the 500m TT qualifying at 11am.

Kelly Murphy will be on the track for the