Paris 2024: Ronan Grimes and Richael Timothy miss out on medal races

Para cyclist Ronan Grimes agonisngly missed out on the C4-5 4000m time trial medal race on Saturday morning despite setting a PB and new Irish record.

Galway man Grimes was fifth overall after a lung-busting effort if 4:28.859.

However he needed to finish inside the top four, and was squeezed out by some scorching rides.

Britain's Archie Atkinson broke the world record with a time of 4:17.700 to top the standings, while Slovakia's Jozef Metelka joined him in the gold medal race.

Two French riders took third and fourth to go into the bronze medal race.

"I'm delighted," Grimes said afterwards. "I mean, I’m a bit upset seeing the time that the French rider coming through just did (meaning he wouldn’t qualify for the final), but I’ve 4:28 for the individual pursuit.

"Before today only three riders had ever gone under 4:30. I think there will be a few more later on but to join that club I think is something I am very proud of.

"People have spent a lot of money to get here, and to come see me. To me, that’s unfathomable that somebody would actually do that. I’ll get emotional thinking of that; I really want to thank them."

Earlier in the velodrome, another Galwegian Richael Timothy (above) also set a new personal best and an Irish record but failed to reach the C1-3 500m time trial final.

Timothy, who is an endurance specialist on the bike, finished 10th overall in this track sprint format after clocking 41.937. With only the top six advancing, that time wasn't good enough but she will take big positives from her showing.

Timothy still has the individual time trial and the road race to come next week.

"I couldn't have done any more than that," she refpected.

"I went faster than I’ve ever gone and I kind of had a bit of a wobble at the