Track World Championships: Irvine 10th in Paris scratch race

In 2013 Martyn Irvine became the first Irishman since 1897 to win a World Track Championships medal with silver in the individual pursuit

Northern Ireland's Martyn Irvine had to settle for 10th in the men's scratch race at the Track World Championships.

The Ards rider, world champion two years ago, missed the five-man breakaway with a quarter of the race to go as Germany's Lucas Liss took gold.

Irvine will now turn his attention to his main target in Paris, the Olympic Omnium, that begins on Friday.

The world championship offer an opportunity to earn vital qualifying points for the Rio Olympics.

Irvine, 13th in the Olympics, has endured an injury-plagued season, during which he admits he felt like "throwing his bike in a hedge".

But he wants to end the season on a high in the men's omnium that will begin on Friday at 13:00 GMT.

"I just tried to keep it fast so it's not so much a stop start race, that's not my cup of tea," said Irvine after Thursday's race.

"I think people know that by now. I was out of position maybe, and I didn't have the grit to fight across, I was stuck with a few passengers, and then I was a passenger to be honest.

"The reality is I have done a lot of sprint work and just a lot of speed work, and maybe that's hindered my tolerance to that kind of race. But tomorrow will tell that one. I'll try to get some good sleep."

Irvine has made it to the championships despite breaking his collarbone at the first World Cup of the season in Mexico in November.

It forced him to miss the second event in London but he was able to pick up a few points at the third and final World Cup in Cali in January.

However, he is behind schedule in the race to make the Olympics and with the remaining qualifying events being the European Championships, three World Cups and next year's World Championships at the London Olympic Velodrome, a strong finish at the Velodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines would be welcome.

The omnium incorporates the individual pursuit, points and scratch races, a flying lap, 1km time trial and elimination race to find the best all-round cyclist.

Irvine won a bronze medal in the event at last year's European Championships in the Netherlands.

Two years ago in Minsk, he became world champion in the scratch race and 12 months ago he took silver in the event.

Prior to the Paris championships, Irvine said he would be satisfied with a top-10 placing in France and that his ultimate goal is success at Olympics level.

BBC TV coverage

Fri 20 Feb: 18:00-21:25 (Red Button)

Sat 21 Feb: 18:00-21:10 (Red Button)

Sun 22 Feb: 13:00-17:00 (BBC Two)

BBC 5 live sports extra coverage

18-21 Feb: 18:00-21:15/21:30

22 Feb: 13:00-16:15