Key points:
- Paralympian Nicole Murray has claimed a second silver medal in Ostend at the Para Cycling Road World Cup.
- New Zealand Para cyclists are competing the Para Cycling Road World Cup Series.
- The team has just completed the Ostend World Cup, and now proceeds to the final Huntsville World Cup (Alabama, US).
Paralympian #222 Nicole Murray demonstrated her tactical acumen in a demanding C5 Road Race this morning, rounding out the Ostend leg of the World Cup Series. Murray jumped off the front of the bunch into the last corner and held off all challengers except Colombian Paula Andrea Ossa Veloza who took first place.
Previously better known as a track cyclist, Murray has now solidified her position in the top of her sports class for both road and track. She competes against a challenging field of rivals in the C5 class.
Coach Damian Wiseman explains:
“This confirms Nicole’s ability to consistently deliver results. Her confidence was knocked a little after her mechanical issues in Maniago but this weekend has really locked in for her that she is capable of delivering top results in hard racing and a very high quality field. The race today was one of the most consistently hard races I’ve seen the C5 women deliver.”
He goes on:
“She rode a really tactically astute race and was still able to jump out in front at the end of the race. It makes it a fun prospect heading to Alabama.”
The Road Race was also an opportunity for the rest of the New Zealand team to extend themselves. Paralympian #225 Anna Taylor improved on her placing from the Maniago World Cup to finish 7th. Paralympian #213 Sarah Ellington maintained her position throughout, working well right to the end of the race to ride away from her bunch to the line, claiming 5th place. The previous day, Paralympian #220 Eltje Malzbender competed strongly until the last lap where she had some ataxia creep in and battled a few challenges to finish up 4th overall.
New Zealand’s Para cyclists will next compete in the 2023 Huntsville Para Cycling World Cup which takes place 26-29 May in Alabama, United States.
More details and all results from the Para Cycling Road World Cup Series.
