The New Zealand team claimed four medals including three gold on a stunning second day of the UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships in Netherlands today.
This brings the Cycling New Zealand team tally to seven medals, including five gold, after two days of the championships at Apeldoorn.
The highlight came at the end of the programme with a stunning victory for the tandem pairing of Emma Foy and pilot Jessie Hodges in the women’s sight-impaired 4000m pursuit final, with the kiwi team setting a world record in the process.
The standout day for the Cycling New Zealand team began with a gold medal for the experienced Waikato rider Nicole Murray, equally adept on track and road. She used all of her racing nous to win the women’s C5 Elimination race, where the last rider across the line every two laps is eliminated.
Murray rode near the back of the field in the first part of the race, using her speed out wide to ensure safety, and once down to four riders, she reverted to her endurance strength. Murray attacked with a lap to go in the final to claim the title and gold medal in a performance of strength, speed and intelligence.
“It was a great race. My coach told me to make sure I did not get stuck on the inside, so I kept right and took my chances. It was an awesome race and I stuck to the game-plan, rode hard and rode smart and loved it,” said Murray.
It is her third world track championship title, winning two titles at Paris in 2022, and a silver medal in the elimination race last year in Rio.
Cambridge rider Devon Briggs made it two gold medals in two days, swapping open racing from day one success to racing against the clock, qualifying second fastest behind Australian Maxwell Sudholz in the final of the 1000m time trial.
Briggs produced a stunning ride in the final, making a super-fast start, holding on to clock 1:05.651 to jump to the top of the table. Top qualifier Sudholz was unable to match the kiwi, who claimed his second gold medal of the championships.
Foy and Hodges, who also claimed their second title in two days, began strongly in the 4000m pursuit final against defending champions Sophie Unwin and pilot Jenny Holl. The kiwi pair opened a 2.4 second advantage at the midway mark as the British favourites began to eat into the lead.
The kiwis dug deep to hold off the late British charge to win in 4:29.672 to set a new world record.
“We went out quite hard in the qualified and then died. So, we wanted to ride a more even race, settle nicely after the start, hold it steady and finish as strong as we could,” said Foy.
“We always had high hopes that we could set a new world record but you always want to stick to the processes and do what you can. Luckily, we were able to execute a better ride than this morning so it was pretty cool to do a personal best and a world record,” said Hodges.
“It is amazing to back-up two pursuits in a day after two kilos the day before. It is an amazing achievement with solid and satisfying wins. This is my fourth world title at this track so it is a winning track for me. I am stocked and quite really believe it.”
The pair are grateful for the team support from the staff.
“Our thanks to the Cycling New Zealand support staff who have been incredible doing some long hours for us all here.
“It is a big effort from the team. We have a huge Para team of all different riders. It is long, long days and it takes a lot of effort from everyone to get us to the start line. We are stoked and appreciate it.”
There was delight for Waikato’s Anna Taylor, who has returned to the sport this year after the birth of her son Henry, to claim the bronze medal in the WC4 1000m time trial.
The Paris Paralympic medallist built into her ride and finished strongly to set a New Zealand record of 1:12.688, which earned a bronze medal, with teammate Siobhan Terry finishing fourth.
While Foy and Hodges have completed their world championship campaign, the rest of the team are back in action on day three which features sprints as well as Briggs returning to chase a third gold medal in the elimination race.
Foy & Hodges signing the rainbow jersey (Credit: SWpix)