Record 11 medals for Kiwi Para cyclists on final day of Rio 2024

Key points:

• The 2024 Para Cycling Track World Championships is complete with the Kiwis taking home a record 11 medals.
• On the final day, Paralympian #222 Nicole Murray claimed gold in the C4/5 Elimination Race, as well as a Scratch Race bronze and a silver medal for the C5 Omnium.
• Fresh from claiming a World Title yesterday, Devon Briggs claimed two additional medals today: C3/4 Elimination Race bronze and C3 Omnium silver.

The 2024 Para Cycling Track World Championships have wrapped up with a slew of medals for the Kiwis.

To round out the competition, Paralympian #222 Nicole Murray claimed a gold, silver, and a bronze medal on Day 5. It brings her medal tally to five across the Championships, meaning she made the podium for every event she entered. Meanwhile Para athlete Devon Briggs added to yesterday’s world title by nabbing an additional silver and bronze.

In total, the Kiwis bring home a record 11 medals – one better than their 10-medal haul in 2023. It’s a significant step up for the squad, and a positive indicator for Paris 2024.

Coach Damian Wiseman is over the moon:

“I’m thrilled with this World Championships. We have a new World Champion in Devon Briggs, in a discipline which is going to be at Paris 2024. And what’s more, it came with a world record!”

“We had some brilliant racing from everyone. Last year we won 10 medals, and this year we have won 11. Looking beyond the tally, I believe we have had overall a better level of performance. Everyone is returning home having represented New Zealand outstandingly.”

Day 5 saw all five Kiwi Para cyclists take part in Elimination Races. In this discipline, the final rider is eliminated as they complete each lap.

Wiseman explains:

“It’s exciting to see the Kiwis dominating the exhibition events in their respective classifications with Devon wining bronze in the C3/C4 Elimination Race and Nicole Murray winning gold in the first ever Women’s C4/C5 Elimination Race.”

Briggs’ bronze medal was not without cost, as another rider clipped his bike, causing him to crash toward the end of the race. Escaping without major injury, Briggs received the bronze medal as the athlete causing the crash was disqualified.

Despite the incident, the Cambridge 20-year-old and his teammates will be heading home with huge smiles on their faces.