2024 has started with a bang for New Zealand’s Para cyclists, who carry home 6 medals from the Adelaide Para Cycling World Cup, including 3 golds. The results bode well for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in August.
Trike rider and Paralympian #220 Eltje Malzbender had an all-gold World Cup, claiming the top spot in both T1 Time Trial and Road Race. 61-year-old Malzbender showed her remarkable drive through the races, pushing through the mid-30 degree temperatures to finish in first place.
Paralympian #222 Nicole Murray seized silver in the C5 Time Trial and gold in the Road Race. It’s another accolade for the Waikato Para cyclist, who was recently named global 2023 Female Summer Athlete of the Year in the PARA SPORT Awards. Once known best as a track Para cyclist, Murray continues to prove her versatility with these results on the road.
Both Murray and Malzbender take home the World Cup series jersey for their class until the next World Cup in May.
Paralympian #221 Rory Mead is thrilled to be carrying home two medals from the Adelaide World Cup, taking home bronze for both the H2 Time Trial and the Road Race. The hand cyclist was delighted to win his first ever medals at the Huntsville Para Cycling Road World Cup last year after returning from injury. His successes have made him hungry to get to Paris in August:
“I’m absolutely buzzing off a great start to the 2024 season! These results keep me pushing hard and hopefully earn a spot on the team that’ll head to Paris in September.”
Para Cycling Programme Manager Brendon Cameron explains why the team needed to be successful in Adelaide:
“On one hand we’re in preparation for Paris and the Paralympic Games in August, and on the other hand we’re still hunting down the points to qualify athletes to compete in Paris.
“Everyone coped well with tough conditions, similar to what we’re expecting in Paris later this year – and that’s a real bonus to see.”
Full results listing and more team details.
The next Para Cycling Road World Cup takes place 2-5 May in Europe (city to be confirmed).
