Australia’s Carol Cooke (T2) and Paige Greco (C3) were crowned 2019 UCI Para World Cup Series champions following the third and final round of the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season in Canada. 
 
After netting twelve medals at each of the first two rounds in Belgium and Italy in May, the Australian Team ended the season with five medals in Baie-Comeau, through Cooke, Greco, plus Darren Hicks (C2) and Grant Allen (H4). 

For the Series, Cooke won four gold and two silver in the time trial and road races held across the three World Cups including dual gold in Canada to cap her 2019 Series. 
 
“I came into this year deciding to just have fun racing and have no expectations of myself and I think that has worked,” said Cooke. “Winning the World Cup series was never on my radar for this year but it’s nice to have done it again.”

Rising star Greco claimed three gold, a bronze and a fifth place across her debut World Cup season. 
“I’ve loved being apart of the Australian team going to the world cups this year,” said Greco. “I’ve learned and gain so much knowledge and taken things away from each race. 

“Coming away with the series win was awesome and has given me the drive to keep improving! Thanks again to the staff on all the trips I couldn’t have achieved it without them.”

Darren Hicks (C2) finished second overall after finishing inside the top four in all six races in the season, including dual time trial gold. 

Grant Allen (H4) ended his season on a high with silver in the road race to finish sixth overall, while Stu Tripp (H5) finished fifth on the standings.     

In the women's C4 classification, Hannah Macdougall and Meg Lemon ended the season in third and fourth respectively despite only contesting the first two rounds. 

The Australian Team has now settled in Italy before heading to Emmen for the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships from September 12-15. 

“I love training in this area and feel very much at home here,” said Cooke, who has used the area as a training base for the last few years. “It’s great because I don’t have to worry about getting over jet lag for Worlds in the Netherlands. 

“It’s amazing to think that the Paralympics are only just over a year away. But first stop is Worlds and it will be tough. 

“There are a number of women who weren’t in Canada so anything can happen! I’ll just continue to do what I’ve done this year...have fun and do the best I can on the day."

Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the 14 athletes selected to the Australian Team for the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships to be held from 12-15 September in Emmen, the Netherlands.

It has been a stellar opening to the 2019 international season for Australian para-cyclists with a 24-medal haul, including eight gold, captured across the first two rounds of the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season in May.

Seven-time world champion Carol Cooke (VIC), reigning world champion Emilie Miller (NSW), and newcomer Paige Greco (SA) have been selected following their superb start to 2019 which sees them wearing the World Cup leader's jerseys in their respective categories.

2019 world champion on the track Emily Petricola (VIC) receives her first road team selection, with 2018 Road World Championship medallists Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC), Hannah Macdougall (VIC) and Meg Lemon (SA) also selected.

Reigning road champion Alistair Donohoe (VIC), dual Paralympic champion David Nicholas (QLD) and Darren Hicks (SA) will all be eager to add a road world title to the rainbow jerseys claimed at the 2019 Track World Championships in March.

The Australian Team will contest the third round of the World Cup in Canada in August ahead of September's World Championships.

Offering valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the Championships will see the Australian Team vie against 200 of the world's best from 30 countries in the road races and time trials.

Australian Team

• Alex Welsh (VIC) H3
• Emilie Miller (NSW) H1
• Stuart Tripp (VIC) H5
• Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC) C1
• Darren Hicks (SA) C2
• Paige Greco (SA) C3
• David Nicholas (QLD) C3
• Emily Petricola (VIC) C4
• Meg Lemon (SA) C4
• Hannah Macdougall (VIC) C4
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5
• Carol Cooke (VIC) T2
• Stuart Jones (NSW) T2
• Gabrielle Vassallo* (NSW) T1

​* Selection dependent upon further medical signoff

The Australian team continued its superb start to the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season with a twelve medal haul in Belgium's second round, equalling the team's opening round performance in Italy. 

In another stellar display, the team netted six gold for the round with Carol Cooke (T2) and Emilie Miller (H1) winning dual gold and the World Cup leader's jerseys in their respective categories.

"I'm extremely proud of my start to the international season here in Ostend. I am incredibly humbled and surprised to receive the World Cup leaders jersey, and two golds tops off a great week," said the dual reigning world champion Miller.

"I am pleased with the execution of my technical skills throughout the time trial, which has been a major focus for this early part of the season, and my road race was my best result for this competition and my best ever road race performance.

"I believe I exceeded where we thought I would be at in this early part of the year and it's great to see I'm just building on the form I found at the 2018 World Champs.

"A massive thanks to all the Australian Cycling Team staff and my home coaches who make the magic happen."

"I came into this season with no expectations, really wanting to have fun racing and just do the best that I could. It is such an important year for us to gain points for Tokyo so I’m happy to have been able to do my part," said Cooke, the 2018 T2 World Cup champion, who claimed dual silver in last week's opening round in Italy.

"I always knew it would be difficult in Italy due to the climbing involved and my German competitor, Jana, being an amazing climber. So I was just happy to come away with the two silvers.

"In round two in Belgium, I knew it was a good time trial course for me and I’m happy racing in the wind. The road race was probably one of the best our category has ever had, everyone picking it up a year out from Paralympic Games. With four of us sprinting to the line I just had to dig deep and go for it."

Paige Greco (C3), who claimed dual gold in the opening round of the World Cup in Italy, added a third gold to her haul with victory in the time trial, while Darren Hicks won the C2 race against the clock. 

Greco also claimed bronze in the road race which secured her the World Cup leader's jersey. Hannah MacDougall (C4) claimed road race silver. 

In other time trial results, Stuart Tripp (MH5) claimed silver, while a heroic effort from Stuart Jones (MT2) saw him win bronze after breaking his collarbone in a mid-race crash.

Emily Petricola (C4) won her maiden World Cup road medal with time trial silver, while Meg Lemon (C4) shared the podium after winning bronze.  

The Australian Team for September's 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships will be announced by Cycling Australia on June 5. 

The third round of the World Cup will be held in Baie-Comeau, Canada, in August. 

Results 

• Results votrecourse.com
• Series Info uci.org

#Apeldoorn2019 Day 1 Recap

It was a triple treat for the Australian Cycling Team on the opening day of the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands with Paige Greco, Darren Hicks and David Nicholas claiming individual pursuit world titles. Read More.

“Right now I think I’m feeling every emotion possible,” said Darren Hicks after claiming his maiden world title. “I am excited & relieved, and in disbelief, I can't quite comprehend that I've finally got my first world championship and rainbow jersey, it's crazy!”

Second fastest in C2 Individual Pursuit qualifying (3:42.709) behind Tristan Chernove (CAN) by less than half a second, before Hicks turned the tables on his Canadian opponent by three seconds in the final (3:45.390).  

“My plan for qualifying was the same thing we have been working on for months, that is until I came through on my second lap six-tenths up on my schedule,” said Hicks revealing it not all went according to his pre-race plan. “After that, it was 'hold on for dear life' and get through those last ten laps without blowing my left leg apart!! In the end, I think I was fortunate to scrape in as the second qualifier, but hey, I'll take some luck going my way for a change!

“The final was a chance to make right what I did wrong in the qualifier, but unfortunately the tank was pretty empty from leaving it all out there on my first ride. So, in the end, I just settled to my schedule as best I could and tried to be as smooth as possible, the time is a little disappointing but in the end, the time doesn't matter in a medal ride off, just as long as you cross the line first.”

The win comes after a tumultuous year for the 34-year-old Adelaide cyclist who in January had charges against him dropped for a freeway truck crash that killed two people in 2014, the same accident in which Hicks lost his right leg.

“It has been a full on year, it was a long, agonising, very expensive road but it's behind me now, and I can finally focus fully on my racing,” Hicks said. “I just would like to say thanks to everyone that's helped me get to where I am today. I'm very grateful for all the opportunities I have been given and am glad I could bring home the chocolates for the first time on the big stage!

“A thank you to my awesome wife who supports me galavanting around the world riding my bike, your unreal babe, and I can't wait to show you the new bling!!”

About 

The 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the Netherlands from 14-17 March and offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries. 

Qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games are on offer, with 16 of Australia's best set to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries.

More
 

• #AusCyclingTeam Hub
• Results 
• Official Website 

Photos 

© Casey B. Gibson

The Australian team has settled into a chilly Apeldoorn in the Netherlands ahead of the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships which run 14-17 March.

The Championships offers valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with the Australian team to vie against 200 of the world's best from 30 countries. 

While it snows outside, many members of the team including former world champions Alistair Donohoe (VIC) has opted for time in the sauna! 

Former world champion Tandem pairing Jessica Gallagher (VIC) and Pilot Madison Janssen (VIC) fine-tuned their preparations for the Championships at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Switzerland after the pair received an invitation to attend the International Training Camp. Read more.  

In the men's Tandem events Brad Henderson (SA) will be piloted by Luke Zaccaria.

The team will also feature reigning world champion David Nicholas (QLD), plus former world champions Amanda Reid (NSW) and Simone Kennedy (NSW).
 
​Emily Petricola (VIC) returns to the team following her outstanding debut at the 2018 World Championships which saw her bring home dual medals and the individual pursuit world record.

2018 World Championship scratch race silver medalist Darren Hicks (SA) will look to continue his strong form with a focus towards the timed events, while Paige Greco (SA), Michael Shippley (QLD) and Daniel Van der Laan (NSW) will make their national team debut. 

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The Australian Cycling Team is locked and loaded ahead of the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships which begin Thursday 2 August in Maniago, Italy.

The team is littered with some of the biggest names in para-cycling, including seven-time and dual reigning world champion Carol Cooke, Paralympic gold medallist David Nicholas, former world champion Kyle Bridgwood and Alistair Donohoe.

And while it is easy to focus on these names, there have been two riders quietly making names for themselves in households across the country.

South Australian duo Darren Hicks and Meg Lemon announced themselves at the 2017 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships when on their debut, they clinched dual silver and dual bronze respectively.

In 2018, they the pair head into the World Championships in form and full of confidence after winning gold at May’s opening round of the UCI Para Road World Cup in Belgium.

“We’ve put in a lot of hard work since Belgium working on both skills and fitness in preparation for these World Champs,” said Lemon, who will contest the women’s C4 road race and time trial from Friday.

“Our coach believes he’s worked as harder than ever, so I’m hoping the hard work will pay off here.”

“I would love to podium again this year at Worlds and the World Cup hoping my form and skills I have worked in will help to improve and move up the step to perhaps silver or gold in the race,” added Lemon. “You never know what will happen race day and how everyone else performs, but it’s all about experience and working towards the next few years and qualifying and hopefully peaking at Tokyo.”

However, while she is clearly focussed on her own race and path to Tokyo, Lemon was quick to point out to others what she believes her teammates are capable of achieving this weekend.

“I’m also so excited to see what my teammates can do. I have a feeling Darren might beat us to the rainbow stripes this year,” Lemon remarked.

For Darren Hicks who will race the men’s C2 road race and time trial, his 2018 season has been almost flawless with dual national titles in January, followed by World Cup gold in May. 
 
“It's been a dream start to the road season, most of my training is in preparation for road competition, so it was great to see all of that pay off in Belgium,” said Hicks, who despite the early season successes, has continued to strive for the marginal gains.

​“As far as performance goes my numbers were good in Ostend, but we have worked on a few things since coming home and made some nice gains in a couple of areas. 

“After a surprising set of results last year, going backwards and staying stagnant aren't options so that only leaves climbing one step higher on the podium! 

“So quite simply, winning is my one and only goal.” 

More on the Championships 

The Championships will be live streamed via the official Facebook page, with more event information via the official website. 

For official start lists and results, visit the UCI website.

2018 Australian Cycling Team - UCI Para Road World Championships 

• Kyle Bridgwood (QLD) C4
• Meg Lemon (SA) C4
• Hannah Macdougall (VIC) C4
• David Nicholas (QLD) C3
• Darren Hicks (SA) C2
• Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC) C1
• Stuart Jones (NSW) T2
• Carol Cooke (VIC) T2
• Grant Allan (SA) H4
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5
• Kieran Murphy & Lachlan Glasspool - Pilot (SA) Tandem
• Grant Nickel (NSW) H1
• Emilie Miller (NSW) H1
• Stuart Tripp (VIC) H5

The Australian Cycling Team has celebrated ten medals at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Rio, fourth most by any nation behind Great Britain, Netherlands and China.  
 
Highlighting the four days of competition for the green and gold was a world title defence by David Nicholas (QLD), and a world record and two medals to debutant Emily Petricola (VIC), plus dual silver to the Tandem pairing of Jessica Gallagher and Maddie Janssen. 
 
The Championships also offered the first vital opportunity for nations to grab valuable qualification points towards Tokyo 2020, with the 16-rider Australian team featuring among 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries.  Complete results.

Summary of medallists
 
GOLD

• David NICHOLAS (QLD) Men C3 / 3 km Pursuit

 
SILVER         

• Kyle BRIDGWOOD (QLD) Men C4 / 4 km Pursuit
• Alistair DONOHOE (VIC) Men C4-5 / Scratch
• Jessica GALLAGHER/Madison JANSSEN (VIC) Tandem 1000 m TT
• Jessica GALLAGHER/Madison JANSSEN (VIC) Tandem Sprint
• Darren HICKS (SA) Men C1-2-3 / Scratch
• Emily PETRICOLA (VIC) Women C4/ 3 km Pursuit
• Amanda REID (NSW) Women C2/ 500 m TT

 
BRONZE       

• Meg LEMON (SA) Women C4/ 3 km Pursuit
• Emily PETRICOLA (VIC) Women C4/ 500 m TT

 
Recap

Reigning Paralympic and world champion David Nicholas (QLD) surged to defend his C3 individual pursuit world title on the opening day, clocking the fastest time during Thursday afternoon’s qualifying (3:36.792). 
 
Nicholas found two extra seconds in the tank in the evening’s final (3:34.804) to comfortably defeat Diederick Schelfhout (BEL) by over four seconds.

"It definitely feels amazing to defend my pursuit title, as it was the objective of the Championships. I am pretty happy with my results but there is always room for improvements so I will reflect when we get home and hopefully be stronger and faster next time," said Nicholas. 
 
On her team debut on Thursday, Emily Petricola (VIC) powered to a time of 41.409secs to win bronze in the C4 women’s 500m time trial. 
 
On Saturday, Petricola eclipsed the existing C4 individual pursuit world record in qualifying by two tenths of a second (3:54.501), before riding to take the silver medal.  Teammate Meg Lemon (SA) won the bronze. 
 
“I have been pleasantly surprised by my performance here, in particular grabbing bronze in the time trial,” said Petricola, who only began cycling a few months ago.
 
“I need to acknowledge the work of Cam Jennings who has moulded me into some resemblance of a track cyclist.
 
“Taking the world record in the individual pursuit was not in the plans, but a great bonus.  My only possible improvement would have been gold in the event.”

Victorians Jessica Gallagher and Maddie Janssen claimed dual silver on the week in the Tandem time trial and sprint, with the pair recording a personal best in the flying 200m.  Both Tandem events were won by multiple Paralympic and world champion Sophie Thornhill (GBR) and Pilot Helen Scott, including world records in both events.
 
Gallagher and Janssen will now head home to represent Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
 
“We are really happy with our results and our two silver medals,” said Gallagher. “A personal best in our flying 200m and just outside our one kilometre time trial personal gives us great momentum as we head straight into GC2018.
 
“We have a few areas we can improve on & we are incredibly excited to head home and race on home soil.”
 
In all, Australia finished just off the top step in seven events with silver to Amanda Reid (NSW-C2) in the time trial, Kyle Bridgwood (QLD-C4) in the pursuit, and Alistair Donohoe (VIC-C5) and Darren Hicks (SA-C2) in their respective scratch races.
 
The team was also just off the podium in fourth on seven occasions through Darren Hicks (SA-C2), Simone Kennedy (NSW-C3) and Amanda Reid (NSW-C2) in the individual pursuit, and Kennedy and Kyle Bridgwood (QLD-C4) in the time trial.

In the men’s Tandem, Brad Henderson and Pilot Thomas Clarke finished fourth in both the time trial and sprint in their first Championships as a pairing. It took the might of multiple Paralympic and world champion Neil Fachie (GBR) and Pilot Matthew Rothertham to stop the pair’s run in the sprint semi final.
 
In other events, Alistair Donohoe (VIC) finished fifth in the C5 individual pursuit and eighth in the time trial, Lemon sixth in the time trial, and Reid fifth in the scratch race. Darcy Thompson (SA-C1) was eighth in the time trial and sixth in the individual pursuit, with Gordon Allan (NSW-C2) fifth in the time trial.
 
The Tandem pairing of Kieran Murphy and Pilot Lachlan Glasspool (SA) was seventh in the pursuit and in the time trial.

2018 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships  | Rio De Janeiro  | 22-25 March 2018
​
The Australian Cycling Team’s journey towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games begins this Thursday in Rio at the 2018 UCI Para-cyclingTrack World Championships.
 
From March 22-25, the Championships offers the first vital opportunity for nations to grab valuable qualification points towards Tokyo 2020, with the 16-rider Australian team to vie against 200 of the world’s best from 30 countries.
 
It will also be a return to the velodrome for many of our 2016 Paralympic heroes, in particular reigning world champions David Nicholas (QLD) and Amanda Reid (NSW).
 
“I think everyone has travelled quite well over to Rio from Australia, still getting over a bit of jetlag as expected, but everything is looking good so far for some good performances,” said Nicholas, who claimed 2016 Paralympic gold in in the individual pursuit and will be aiming for a strong performance in his world title defence.
 
“Being back here in Rio at the Velodrome where I won gold two years ago feels amazing, first hit out on track was great.
 
“Certainly will try to defend my title, but if I do a great performance that I know I can do, I will be happy and the result will be what it will be.”
 
Dual reigning world champion Reid is eager to get the competition underway after completing a week of training on the track.
 
“Felt great to be back here on these boards again after 2016, spending time getting used to the slightly different shape of the track again before ramping up the training as the week progressed,” added Reid, who announced herself in 2017 with rainbow jerseys in both the time trial and individual pursuit.
 
“I'm feeling really more and more excited about the competition as we get closer to it.
 
“I'm confident about my chances of retaining my world crown in the 500 time trial which is my main goal, and I'm also looking for a personal best in the individual pursuit.”
 
The Championships begin what will be a busy two weeks for 2016 world champions and Paralympic bronze medallists Jessica Gallagher (VIC) and Pilot Madison Janssen (VIC), with the pair also set to represent Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
 
“Personally, Maddie and I are really excited to race, we have a busy few weeks ahead with the back up straight into the Commonwealth Games, so managing our training loads and taper has been incredibly important,” said Gallagher.  The pair will contest the Tandem time trial and sprint at both the World Championships and the Games.
 
“We are riding fast and with good race conditions anticipated we have high expectations particularly in the sprint. It's safe to say the entire team are all ready to get out there and race!'”

Similarly in the men's Tandem, Brad Henderson (SA) and Thomas Clarke (SA-Pilot) will fine-tune their Games preparation at the Worlds.
 
“This is a really good chance for Tom and I to have some international race experience in a strong field before the Commonwealth Games,” said Henderson. “We are aiming to execute everything we’ve been doing in training, come out with some personal bests and see how we compare amongst the worlds best.”
 
The team also features reigning world champion Simone Kennedy (NSW), plus 2016 Paralympic Games silver medallists Alistair Donohoe (VIC) and Kyle Bridgwood (QLD).
 
Follow the World Championships

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Australian Cycling Team 

• Gordon Allan (NSW-C2)
• Kyle Bridgwood (QLD-C4)
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC-C5)
• Jessica Gallagher (VIC) / Madison Janssen (VIC-Pilot)
• Brad Henderson (SA) / Thomas Clarke (SA-Pilot)
• Darren Hicks (SA-C2)
• Simone Kennedy (NSW-C3)
• Meg Lemon (SA-C4)
• Kieran Murphy (SA) / Lachlan Glasspool (SA-Pilot)
• David Nicholas (QLD-C3)
• Emily Petricola (VIC-C4)
• Amanda Reid (NSW-C2)
• Darcy Thompson (SA-C1)