New Zealand’s Para cycling team delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, returning home with an impressive haul of ten medals, including six golds.
The results provided a powerful statement of the squad’s strength, depth and growing momentum, offering plenty of encouragement as the team builds towards the LA28 Paralympic Games.
From record-breaking rides and dominant displays to exciting emerging talent and inspiring comebacks, here are six reasons to celebrate New Zealand’s success.
Briggs banks a brilliant triple gold
Paralympian #229 Devon Briggs is quite simply the world’s leading C3 Para track cyclist right now.
The 22-year-old Cambridge-based rider was a dominant force in Apeldoorn, claiming three gold medals and a silver in a remarkable championship campaign.
Briggs powered to gold in the Men’s Sprint C3, lowering his own world record to 10.740 seconds in qualifying. He was equally impressive in the Men’s 1000m Time Trial C3, storming to victory by almost two seconds in a blistering 1:05.651.
He then showcased his endurance and tactical nous to claim a third gold in an exhilarating Men’s Elimination Race C3, before rounding off his memorable programme with silver in the Men’s Scratch C3.
A phenomenal four-medal return underlined Briggs’ status as a genuine world-class act.
Foy and Hodges strike double gold… again
Fresh from their double gold-medal success at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Paralympian #194 Emma Foy and Jessie Hodges once again demonstrated why they are such a devastating tandem combination.
The pair produced a pair of outstanding performances to secure a brace of gold medals in Apeldoorn.
They opened their campaign in style in the Women’s 1000m Time Trial B, setting a national record of 1:06.154 in qualifying before clocking 1:06.474 in the final to claim gold.
They then delivered a world-class performance over 16 laps of the Omnisport Apeldoorn velodrome in the Women’s 4000m Individual Pursuit B, setting a world record of 4:29.672 to secure a second gold of the championships.
Murray adds to her impressive medal collection
One of the most consistent performers on the international stage over the past decade, Paralympian #222 Nicole Murray PLY once again proved her class when it mattered most.
The Waikato-based rider produced a superb tactical display to overcome dangerous Italian rival Claudia Cretti and claim gold in a thrilling Women’s Elimination Race C5.
She also showcased her blistering speed to secure silver in the Women’s Sprint C5, adding another two medals to her impressive championship record.
Murray narrowly missed out on a further podium in the Women’s 1000m Time Trial C5, finishing fourth, and recorded a sixth-place finish in the Women’s Scratch C5.
Another multi-event campaign and another rainbow jersey from one of New Zealand’s most dependable performers.
Terry turns consistency into cherished silver
Competing at just her second UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships, former Para swimmer Siobhan Terry continued to demonstrate her exciting potential on the international stage.
Terry’s consistency across a demanding programme was rewarded with a superb silver medal in the Women’s Scratch C4.
She also recorded three fourth-place finishes, narrowly missing out on the podium in the Women’s Elimination Race C4, Women’s 1000m Time Trial C4 and Women’s Sprint C4.
Still relatively inexperienced at this level of competition, Terry’s performances offer plenty of reasons for optimism. With valuable international experience now under her belt, she shapes as an exciting prospect in the countdown to LA28.
Taylor makes a fairytale return to the podium
There was something special about the return to the global stage for Paralympian #225 Anna Taylor PLY.
Following the birth of her son, Henry, last November, Taylor enjoyed a spectacular comeback, returning to the track and re-establishing herself among the world’s elite.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Individual Pursuit silver medallist faced the challenge of adapting to a new event the Women’s 1000m Time Trial C4, with the Individual Pursuit no longer featuring on the championships programme.
She rose to the occasion in impressive fashion, stopping the clock at 1:12.688 to secure a memorable bronze medal.
A podium finish on her return to major international competition was a fitting reward for a remarkable comeback.
Edwards makes an impressive World Championships debut
New Zealand’s next generation of Para cycling talent also made its presence felt, with Ieuan Edwards delivering an highly encouraging performance at his first UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships.
The Cantabrian announced himself in the Men’s Sprint C5, breaking his own New Zealand record in qualifying with a time of 10.649 seconds to qualify third fastest and progress to the semi-finals.
He also produced a strong ride in the Men’s 1000m Time Trial C5, finishing sixth against a world-class field.
Two top-six finishes on his World Championships debut provide compelling evidence of Edwards’ potential and suggests there is plenty more to come as he continues his development on the international stage.
