Waikato’s multi world and Paralympic medallist, Nicole Murray, has ticked off the key boxes in her return to international Para-cycling competition in Belgium.

Murray, competing in the C5 category at the opening UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup, finished fifth in the 58km road race on a lap course in Bruges.

She rode in the lead bunch with a select group of seven riders fighting out for the sprint finish. The short 11.5km circuit meant that at one stage their women’s C5 was stopped to allow a faster category to ride through.

Murray was satisfied with her performance in her return to international competition after a lengthy layoff following the Paris Paralympics.

“Today’s road race was a great opportunity to get a feel for how the new riders in my classification handle bunch racing ahead of Road World Championships later this year,” said Murray.

“My focus was on reading the race and positioning myself strategically, especially ahead of areas where attacks were likely.

“I’m happy with how I executed that plan, consistently staying in good positions and avoiding burning unnecessary energy. There were a few small breakaways but none stuck until the final sprint at the finish.”

Italian Claudi Cretti, a former able-bodied professional, seriously injured in the Giro Rosa before transitioning to para-cycling, won the seven-strong sprint finish. She crossed the line ahead of Mariela Analia Delgado (ARG), a multi Para-cycling medallist, and Australia’s time trial winner Alana Forster, with Murray fifth in the same time.

The kiwi star hopes that future para-cycling road courses will be on longer laps to avoid the bunching issues which forced the stoppage to allow another classification to safely sprint past on their final lap.

It is not over for the Cycling New Zealand team, who head to the city of Ronse, in the heart of the Flanders region of Belgium, to scout the course for the Para-cycling World Championships at the end of August.

“After that, it’s back home, and back to building the engine,” said Murray.

Results, Women’s C5 Road Race (58.3km – 5 laps): Claudi Cretti (ITA) 1:45.04, 1; Mariela Analia Delgado (ARG), same time, 2; Alana Forster (AUS) st, 3; Anna Harkowska (POL) st, 4; Nicole Murray (NZL) st, 5.