World champion cyclist Martyn Irvine prepares for exciting 2014

Irish world champion cyclist Martyn Irvine is already looking forward to an exciting 2014 season after picking up another gold medal at the World Cup.

Irvine won the scratch race at the world championships in February and the points race in Manchester on Saturday.

"An individual medal for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games is my main goal," said the Newtownards man.

"There's also a 75% chance that I'll do the Giro d'Italia in May although I'm not fit enough to do it at the moment."

"If that is to happen I'll have to change my season a bit as it will involve a lot of different training.

"A decision will have to be made soon, although I think a lot of people would like me to take part as I'd kind of be the local boy in the field," explained the 28-year-old.

Irvine believes that the Giro d'Italia will be "massive" and "is going to take over the country for a few days" when the start of the event takes place in Northern Ireland.

"Cycling is booming in Ireland, but when this race arrives it's going to shut the place down. People will either love it or hate it, but hopefully they'll love it as it's a good route."

The Dublin-based competitor, who also trains in Majorca, has endured a rollercoaster 2013, fracturing his femur a month after winning the scratch race world title in February, a triumph that saw him become Ireland's first medallist in modern track championships.

Irvine made a speedy recovery to take a bronze medal at the European Track Championships in the Netherlands and followed that up with victory in the 30-kilometre points race at the Track World Cup.

"I didn't think I was fit enough to win on Saturday, but I rode the best race on the day.

"I'm a world champion and that's a jersey that's going to be on my wall for the rest of my days - I backed that up in Manchester to prove that it wasn't a fluke and that I'm worthy of riding the track for Ireland.

"The British system is so well funded, it gives me a kick beating them, as I'm working off a much lower budget. I'm not beating them all the time, but I'm certainly holding my own."

The County Down man could win three golds at next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow but admits that he would "have to be in the form of my life" to achieve the feat.

"It's not impossible and I'll give it a shot. My other objective for the future is to establish myself as a good road rider," he concluded.