Donate Now
News posted on Wednesday 25th September, 2024

Malzbender secures global bronze with blistering time trial display

Paralympian #220 Eltje Malzbender cycles across a Zurich bridge spotlighted by the sun at the 2024 UCI Para cycling world championships.

Paralympian #220 Eltje Malzbender executed one of the finest rides of her career to take an outstanding bronze medal in the Women’s T1 Individual Time Trial at the Zurich 2024 Para cycling Road World Championships earlier today.

Riding in temperatures of around 17C, the 62-year-old Cambridge-based tricyclist completed the 11.3km route in a time of 24:08:50 – at an average speed of 28.084km to take her spot on the podium.

Gold was secured by Marieke Van Soest of the Netherlands in a time of 20:51.44 with the 2023 champion Pavlina Vejvodova of Czechia in silver (21:43.08). Malzbender finished significantly clear of Fatima Saipova of Uzbekistan (27:52.89) in fourth.

Malzbender, who claimed a silver medal in this event at the 2023 edition, was elated with her performance: “I’ve been competing internationally for seven years and despite not racing for the past eight months, I recorded a personal best average speed time, faster than when I became world champion (in 2019).

“The road was smooth with only one turnaround, which suited me well. I listened to my coach, encouraging me to ride faster and I rode strongly throughout.

“I’m very proud to represent New Zealand and be on the podium once again.”

Malzbender returns to competition at Zurich 2024 in the Women’s T1 Road Race on Friday starting at 9.02pm (NZT).

Malzbender, who lives with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) following a crash during a training ride, was introduced to riding a tricycle at the Cambridge velodrome and she was later selected on the HPSNZ Pathway to Podium programme with Paralympics New Zealand in 2018. She represented her country at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games finishing fifth in the Women’s T1-2 Individual Time Trial.

To follow results of the 2024 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships go here

For a livestream of the action go here

Image: SWPix

You may also like

  • Danielle Aitchison holds the NZ flag around her shoulders as she celebrates her silver medal in the Women's 100m T36 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

    Ten of the Best Images from Paris 2024

    Across a photographic career spanning more than a quarter of a century, Fiona Goodall has covered FIFA World Cups as well as Cricket and Rugby World Cups. Here the official Getty photographer for the NZ Paralympic…
    Read More about Ten of the Best Images from Paris 2024.
  • Paralympian Peter Cowan holds his bronze medal following the Men's Va'a Single 200m VL3 Final at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. He stands with his coach Myka Nuku.

    It Takes a Village: Peter Cowan 

    Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Men’s 200m VL3 bronze medallist Peter Cowan provided a rip-roaring finale to the NZ Paralympic Team quest in the French capital. We chat to the 29-year-old Hawke’s Bay-based Para canoeist about his…
    Read More about It Takes a Village: Peter Cowan .
  • Founder of the Paralympic movement, Sir Ludwig Guttmann presents Australian Paralympian Tony South a gold medal for the Men's Albion Round open event at the 1968 Paralympic Games in Tel Aviv.

    Reflecting on the Founder of the Paralympic Movement 

    The Paralympic Movement stands as an emblem of resilience, excellence, and inclusivity in the world of sport. But have you ever wondered who laid the foundations for this monumental movement, one that has redefined the boundaries…
    Read More about Reflecting on the Founder of the Paralympic Movement .

Our Partners

Major Partner

Official Partners

Team Supporters

Official Suppliers

Funding Partners