Highlights:
- Gold and World Championships title for Paralympians Emma Foy and Hannah van Kampen
- Solid performances from Para cyclists Nicole Murray and Sarah Ellington
The New Zealand Para Cycling Team could not have asked for a better result as the new tandem pairing of Rio 2016 Paralympians Emma Foy and Hannah van Kampen showed unbeatable form to win gold and the World Champion title in the fastest time recorded at sea level for the Women’s B 3km Individual Pursuit. This is the fourth time Foy has won this world title and worn the rainbow jersey having done so with sighted pilot Laura Thompson in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Stu MacDonald (Para Cycling Head Performance Coach) said: “Today has been huge for the Team starting with waking up to the horrendous news of the tragic events in Christchurch. Our thoughts and hearts are with everyone at home. As Team we came together and committed to focussing on performing to our absolute best.“
He continued: “Emma and Hannah have trained so hard to be the best bike riders they can be. Today that was to be world champions. With Emma returning to Para cycling less than 12 months ago after a break following the Rio 2016 Paralympics this was an outstanding result. Their qualifying ride this morning was the fastest time at sea level, they then backed this up with the world championship winning ride in the final.“
The tandem pairing showed huge resilience today as considerable and ongoing delays to occurred in the lead up to the final. Regardless, Foy and Van Kampen came out with a strong start and produced some fast splits continually increasing their lead throughout the race. The New Zealand tandem finished in a blistering time of 03:25.787. Silver went to Belgium, while bronze went to Great Britain.
Sarah Ellington produced a solid result in the Women’s 500m Time Trial C2. The 9th place in her non favoured event will ensure she is focussed ahead of the scratch race tomorrow.
Nicole Murray competed in the second event of the Women’s Omnium, her first Flying 200m race. She rode well and was rewarded with a 5th place. This means Murray is now placed 6th overall in the Women’s Omnium with the individual pursuit and scratch races still to ride. The Omnium is a test event at the UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships this year.
Tomorrow will be a busy day for the New Zealand Para Cycling Team in Apeldoorn with all 12 Para cyclists competing across 4 events.
Para cyclist | Classification / Impairment | Club | Event | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day 2 | Emma Foy and Hannah Van Kampen (sighted pilot) | Marsden Wheelers(Whangarei)/ Ramblers(Hawkes Bay) | QE11 | Women’s B 3km Individual Pursuit | Gold and World Championship title |
Nicole Murray | C5 - Limb deficiency (left wrist amputee) | Te Awamutu | Women’s Omnium C5 | 6th (with 2 of 4 events complete) | |
Sarah Ellington | C2 - Loss of muscle power (Incomplete paraplegia) | Auckland | Women’s 500m Time Trial C2 | 9th | |
Day 1 | Sarah Ellington | C2 - Loss of muscle power (Incomplete paraplegia) | Auckland | Women’s 3km Individual Pursuit C2 | Bronze |
Kate Horan | C4- Limb deficiency (leftbelow the knee amputee) | PNP (Wellington) | Women’s 500m Time Trial C4 | Bronze | |
Nikita Howarth | C4- Bilateral upper limb deficiency | Te Awamutu | Women’s 500m Time Trial C4 | 6th | |
Nick Blincoe | C4 - Loss of muscle power (completeright arm) | Auckland | Men’s 1km Time Trial C4 | 6th | |
Nicole Murray | C5 - Limb deficiency (left wrist amputee) | Te Awamutu | Women’s 500m Time Trial C5 | 7th | |
Anna Taylor | C4- Incomplete spinal cord injury (due to acute cauda equina syndrome) | Te Awamutu | Women’s 500m Time Trial C4 | 7th |
