For the first time in almost 16 months, Ireland’s para-cycling squad will compete for medals at a World Championships (Report CI)
The extended break from competitive action has not deterred athletes as they remained focused on their preparation and long-term development.
The UCI Paracycling Road World Championships takes place in Cascais, Portugal from June 09 – 13. Irish athletes will compete in both Road Race and Time Trial events, and many will be targeting medal-winning performances. The team includes multiple Paralympic Champions, World Champions, and World Medallists all aiming to impress just 3-mounts out from the Paralympic Games. Cycling Ireland National Coach, Neill Delahaye commented;
“The athletes are really looking forward to the upcoming World Championships.”The training process has been intensive for a long time now so getting the opportunity to translate that work into racing against the World’s best is something everyone is keenly looking forward to. The impact of covid-19 has restricted racing opportunities globally and made planning very challenging this year, so the upcoming World Championships has increased importance in the context of Tokyo Paralympic selection and preparation.” Speaking about the route for the World Championships, Delahaye added: “The Parcours on the Estoril Moto Circuit in Cascais, Portugal is reasonably comparable to Fuji Speedway, where the Tokyo Paralympic Games take place. This provides an opportunity to refine our performance planning for the Games.”
Our Irish Warriors in Portugal (photos and video courtesy of Cycling Ireland) Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal – WB Road Race & WB Time Trial. Damien Vereker and Marcin Mizgajski – MB Road Race & MB Time Trial. Chris Burns – MC2 Road Race & MC2 Time Trial. Ronan Grimes – MC4 Road Race & MC4 Time Trial. Richael Timothy – WC3 Road Race & WC3 Time Trial. Gary O’Reilly – MH5 Road Race & MH5 Time Trial. Declan Slevin – MH3 Road Race & MH3 Time Trial.
Note organisers: “The competition opens with the team relay (nine times round a 1.98km lap using the long straight of the Circuito Estoril), followed by two days of individual time trials (ITT) for men and women across the different handbike, tricycle, cycle, and tandem sports classes, racing over distances between 16.8 and 33.6km (two to four laps of an 8.4km circuit). Then Saturday and Sunday bring the road races, starting with the tandem (117.6km – 14 laps of the same 8.4km for men -, and 100.8km – 12 laps – for women), through to the handbike categories ahead of Sunday evening’s closing awards ceremonies”
