Home favourite Julie Leth won gold with 43 points, Belgium's Lotte Kopecky claimed silver with 40, and Gillespie finished third with 39.

Having won the European Junior gold in 2018 and the European under-23 gold last year, the 23-year-old Enniskerry native, who also competes on the road, has an excellent record in the Points discipline.

She placed sixth in the Elimination Race, ninth in the Omnium, and seventh in the Madison in other events this week.

Additionally, she was a member of the Irish foursome who placed ninth in the team pursuit at the Olympics in Paris, where she placed tenth in the Omnium.

Gillespie talked about how she felt relieved after winning a medal in a major competition.




"It feels amazing. Coming home with something is a huge relief. I'm really happy of Ireland's victory this year and of us as a tiny squad.

"I returned from the European Championships at the beginning of the year with three fourth-place finishes, and you're not even taking anything home with you. It can only get better from here, and you know that you're improving every time.

"It's my first senior medal but as a team we've been working so hard this year preparing for the Olympics and the World Cups. It's a huge team effort and all the staff at Cycling Ireland, and also my road team really supported me this year.

"I am so relieved with this medal because I knew I could do it and I have the legs and every time I'm racing, I’m getting closer and closer."