New Zealand riders take their first pedal strokes towards the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games at the UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands this week.
While the New Zealand team enjoyed outstanding success as the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, they are under no illusions about the challenge in Apeldoorn which has attracted a record number of riders and nations. There will be 234 riders from 46 nations competing this week, which is a significant increase in both the number of competitors and nations.
“The development of Para-cycling globally is massive, especially here on the track. It is a huge programme in Apeldoorn this year, and the standards will be unprecedented,” said Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director, Ryan Hollows.
“Our riders have prepared well but they are also aware that both the quality and the depth of riders will be significant this week.
“That is exciting for Para-cycling in general and give us a real understanding of where we lie in this rapidly advancing Para sport.”
New Zealand earned a record 13 medals at the world championships in Rio last year, with all of those riders returning in Devon Briggs, Siobhan Terry, Nicole Murray and the tandem pairing of Emma Foy and pilot Jessie Hodges.
Added to the 2025 quartet is Paris 2024 Paralympic medallist Anna Taylor, returning after the birth of her son, and Christchurch newcomer Ieuan Edwards, a former international Para swimmer.
Five kiwi riders are in action on the opening day on Thursday (from 9pm NZT) with Edwards, Murray, Foy and Hodges in qualifying and potential finals in the 1000m time trial; with Briggs in the sprint competition and Terry in the 10km scratch race on the evening programme (from Friday 5am NZT).
Competition continues until Monday NZT.
The New Zealand rider schedule is:
Ieuan Edwards (1km Time Trial, Elimination, Sprint, 10km Scratch, Team Sprint)
Emma Foy & Jessie Hodges (1km Time Trial Tandem, Individual Pursuit Tandem)
Nicole Murray (1km Time Trial, Elimination, Sprint, 10km Scratch)
Devon Briggs (Sprint, 1km Time Trial, Elimination, 10km Scratch, Team Sprint)
Siobhan Terry (10km scratch, 1km Time Trial, Sprint, Elimination)
Anna Taylor (1km Time Trial, Team Sprint)
