#PARA | Petricola’s triple rainbows in Canada

Photo - Casey Gibson

It was a triple Canadian treat for Victoria's Emily Petricola who stunned the 2020 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Milton by winning three rainbow jerseys in one day. 

Petricola, 39, took gold in her pet event, the individual pursuit, before storming to win the scratch race gold only two hours later, which in turn secured her overall victory in the omnium. 

"Today was a pretty unbelievable day, I still can't believe that it has worked out like this!," said Petricola, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis twelve years ago at the age of 27. 

Petricola opened her 2020 Track Worlds campaign by finishing just two tenths off a second off the 500m time trial podium in fourth, before taking second in the 200m time trial (not a World Championship event). Notably, Canada's Kate O'Brien won gold in both events in world record time. 

Petricola then defended her 3000m individual pursuit world title by catching teammate Meg Lemon inside the final two laps of their final clash. Despite having to negotiate her way around Lemon, Petricola powered home over the final few laps to post a scorching time of 3mins 44.146secs, just three seconds outside of her (still to be ratified) world record set at the Brisbane Track World Cup last December. 

"I really wanted to defend my title from last year in the IP, and was so excited that it was an all Australian gold medal ride with Meg in the ride-off.  It was a win/win for the team, regardless of the result," said Petricola.

With only two hours separating the individual pursuit and the scratch race, Petricola revealed tips from dual world champion Sam Welsford - who won team pursuit and scratch race gold inside an hour at the 2019 World Championships - paid dividends. 

Petricola won the scratch race which, when combined with IP gold, plus fourth and second in the time trials, secured her victory in the four-event omnium. 

"I had mentioned to my coach Cam a few weeks ago that I wanted to win the scratch race, and I think he thought I was joking," revealed Petricola. "I got a few tips from Sam (Welsford) before I left Adelaide about how best to back up the IP into the scratch race and was lucky enough I could implement his strategy and get away with the win, which in turn sealed the omnium."

Petricola paid tribute to the entire team following her triple victory. 

"I feel so grateful to be a part of such a great, strong team. We are so lucky to work with such amazing staff and coaches who support every part of our preparation," she added. 

"There is no way I could do this without any single one of them - our team's strength is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of not just the athletes, but every person associated with our team."

Meg Lemon (SA) was fourth overall in the omnium after winning silver the in the individual pursuit, sixth in the scratch race and 200m time trial and seventh in the 500m time trial. 

Follow #Milton2020 

• www.2020uciparatrack.com 
• Results https://tracktiming.live/eventpage.php?EventId=2003 
• Live Streaming via uci.org or https://www.flobikes.com/ 

#AusCyclingTeam 

• https://www.australiancyclingteam.com/2020paratrackworlds.html 
• Facebook - @AustralianCyclingTeam
• Instagram - @australiancyclingteam
• Twitter - @AusCyclingTeam

Australian Team for 2020 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships 

Athlete (State) Classification

• Gordon Allan (NSW) C2 - 2019 World Championship medalist
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5 - 2019 individual pursuit & scratch race world champion
• Paige Greco (SA) C3 - 2019 individual pursuit & time trial world champion (dual world record holder)
• Darren Hicks (SA) C2 - 2019 individual pursuit world champion
• Meg Lemon (SA) C4 - dual 2019 World Championship medalist
• David Nicholas (QLD) C3 - 2019 individual pursuit & scratch race world champion
• Emily Petricola (VIC) C4 - 2019 individual pursuit world champion (world record holder)
• Amanda Reid (NSW) C2 - 2019 time trial world champion (world record holder)

Photos - Casey Gibson