US-based Wellingtonian Rory Mead has finished fifth in the opening time trial at the UCI Para cycling Road World Championships in the USA.
Blazing hot conditions made for a demanding test over the 14.6kms individual time trial to start the championships in Huntsville, Alabama.
Mead, who was fourth in the world championship time trial last year in Belgium, found the conditions challenging.
Frenchman Florian Jouanny, the Olympic champion, successfully defended his world title, finishing 17 seconds clear of Italian legend Luca Mazzone, a 10-time Paralympic medallist, with American Cody Wills a minute behind in third.
Nicole Murray has finished 11th in the women’s C5 time trial on day two of the Championships. Murray, a medallist on the track at the recent Commonwealth Games, clocked 45:56.20 for the 29.2km two-lap test today, with riders tested by temperatures reaching 40 degrees and high humidity.
Young French double world champion Heidi Gaugain claimed the title in 39:14.49, finishing over a minute clear of Alana Forster (AUS) and Crystal Lane-Wright.
The New Zealander was 12th fastest over the first lap and improved one spot, averaging 38kph over the 29.2km test.
Murray will turn her attention to the road race on Tuesday NZT, with Kiwi hand cyclist Rory Mead competing in the road race tomorrow.
Nicole Murray in action in Huntsville, Alablama today. (SWpix)