The New Zealand Para-Cycling team took to the track today with three Para-Athletes (three bikes) competing on the first day of the 2016 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in the Italy.
Kate Horan was first to compete in the Women’s C4 500m TT Final winning the bronze medal. Kate said, “There were some top class performances out there today. The world record was smashed twice before I was due to ride so I knew there was quite a bit of pressure on me. It is always such a buzz to be on the podium and I was pleased with my bronze medal performance today.“
Jono Hailstone (Head Performance Coach Para-Cycling, Paralympics New Zealand) said, “It was pleasing to see that Kate maintained her position as a 500m Time Trial medallist despite her switch of focus to the 3000m Pursuit ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.“
Kate will compete in her preferred event, the Women’s C4 3km Pursuit on Sunday (NZT).
Team mate Bryon Raubeheimer made his World Championships debut with a strong performance in the Men’s C4 1km Time Trial finishing 9th.
Stu MacDonald (Support Performance Coach, Paralympics New Zealand) said, “ Byron executed a really good race and did exactly what was asked of him at his World Championship debut. He rode an awesome first 3 laps before fading in lap 4 however he persisted to hold on for a fantastic top 10 position, achieving his goal for this race.“
The final Kiwi Para-Cyclist competing today was London 2012 Paralympian Fiona Southorn. Fiona competed in the Women’s C5 500m Time Trial finishing 9th. She looks forward to her next event, the Women’s C5 3km Pursuit on Sunday (NZT).
Tomorrow will see the World Championship tandem pairing of Emma Foy/Laura Thompson looking to defend their title for a second consecutive year in the Women’s B 3km Pursuit. They will be joined by team mates and tandem pairing Amanda Cameron/Hannah van Kampen.
