Paris medallist Nicole Murray wrapped up the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships with a fourth placing in the road race in Belgium today.
On an uncompromising road circuit, the Waikato rider was among a four-strong group that pushed off the front in the women’s C5 road race over five laps, 77kms in Ronse.
Murray was with the group for much of the race, but gradually the stronger riders eased up the road with Australia’s Alana Forster claiming the gold medal in 2:08.04. She finished 38 seconds clear of Anna Harkowska (POL) with Great Britain’s Morgan Newberry holding off Murray for the bronze.
This followed the fourth placing in the road race by hand-cyclist Rory Mead.
“It was a well-designed and very tough circuit, which has been used a number of times for top professional road races,” said Cycling New Zealand’s lead Para-cycling coach, Brendon Cameron.
“There was nowhere to hide in this course and gradually the strongest riders prevailed. There was a lot of wind and rain also today, so it proved a very hard race of attrition and the strongest riders survived.
“It was a good effort from Nicole who rode strongly. We were quite selective who we brought here in the first year of a fresh para-cycling campaign, and we brought two athletes who were world-ranked.
“We have come away with one bronze medal and three fourth places which was a solid campaign for Nicole and Rory.”
Cameron said Murray’s training load was lighter after her success in Paris, and wanting to manage her training-load carefully.
“This is the first time we have both road worlds and track worlds just seven weeks apart. Nicole needed a break after Paris which was very important and not pushing her back to the grind of training as it is year one of a four year programme,” said Cameron.
“It was Nicole’s first road medal since 2022 so I think we have things on the right track. In a week or so it will be back on to the boards to look towards the track world championships.
“It has been a big year for Rory who has put in a huge amount of work and mileage – and every year he is making progressing. Top four in the world in his class is impressive and we will continue to look at ways to make further gains in all areas moving forward.”
Cameron said the Ohio-based kiwi will have the benefit of the road world championships next year in near-by Alabama.
“Both riders are moving in the right direction towards the podium looking at Los Angeles in 2028.”
Result, Women’s C5 Road Race: Alana Forster (AUS) 2:08.04, 1 Anna Harkowska (POL) at 38s, 2; Morgan Newberry (GBR) at 3:22. 3; Nicole Murray (NZL) at 3:44, 4.