Waikato’s Nicole Murray manoeuvred her way over wet roads and cobbles to claim the bronze medal in the women’s C5 time trial on day two of the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Belgium.

The Paris Olympic track medallist finished the 23.2km time trial over a wet course in Ronse just over two minutes behind Australian winner Alana Forster and only 14 seconds behind second placed Mogan Newberry (GBR).

It was Murray’s first road world championship medal in three years, averaging 42kph and managing the wet course and slippery cobbled section impressively. The kiwi rider was fourth fastest through the first time check, second fastest after the testing technical section over the cobbles and finally settled for third overall.

“It was a tough race - good grindy conditions and windy. I dug pretty deep and I am happy with how I performed today,” said Murray, a below-the-arm amputee.

“I am really, really happy to be on the podium just over a month ago from being in hospital for a minor procedure on my leg. To be on the podium is so awesome. I am so pleased.”

The riders faced heavy rain during their preparations and early part of the race which proved testing around the road course in the cycling stronghold of Flanders.

“It lightened up during the race but it was a very, very wet course and had to definitely factor that in on some of the cobbled sections,” said the kiwi star.

“My coach reckoned I was one of the fastest riders through the cobbled section which surprised me. I don’t get exposed to that sort of terrain except for road worlds and world cups because we don’t have cobbles in New Zealand.”

The road race is over a similar course with the same technical section plus a longer country loop, with today’s performance encouraging for the New Zealander who was last on the road world championship podium three years ago in Canada.

“It was good to go through that technical section in a race mindset today and get a better idea where moves can be made throughout the course. I am really excited for the road race. I think it is going to be awesome.”

Tomorrow’s racing moves to the road course with US-based kiwi Rory Mead competing in the men’s H2 handcycle, with Murray taking on the road race on Monday (NZT).

Result, Women WC5 time trial (23.2km): Alana Forster (AUS) 33:08.41, 1; Morgan Newberry (GBR) 35:03.4, 2; Nicole Murray (NZL) 35:17.67, 3.