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Para | Australia finishes on top with nine gold at 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships

16/9/2019

Photo - Casey Gibson

The Australian Cycling Team is celebrating after finishing on top of the gold medal tally at the 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships in the Netherlands.

Australia won nine gold to finish one ahead of Germany and Italy, while the team’s fifteen medal haul ranked third on the nation’s ranking behind the USA (21) and Germany (19).

>>> Photo Gallery - Check out all the photos from Para Road Worlds courtesy of Casey Gibson.

The team’s performances were highlighted by dual world titles to Carol Cooke (T2) and Emilie Miller (H1), while Darren Hicks (C2), Emily Petricola (C4), Paige Greco (C3), Alistair Donohoe (C5) and David Nicholas (C3) now boast dual road and track world crowns in 2019.

Victoria's Cooke claimed her eighth and ninth career world titles as she raced to win the T2 (tricycle) time trial and road races. Read recap.

Dual 2018 world champion Miller defended her H1 (handcycle) crowns in the time trial and the road race. Read recap.

Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC) and Meg Lemon (SA) claimed dual bronze in the C1 and C4 events respectively, while Stuart Jones (NSW) claimed silver in the T2 time trial.

In a sign of the consistency of the entire team, Stuart Tripp (VIC) H5 and Hannah Macdougall (VIC) C4 finished inside the top five in both of their finals.

It has been a stellar 2019 international season for Australian para-cyclists which began with a 17-medal haul at the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in March which saw them finish second overall.

On the road, the team claimed 29 medals across the three rounds of the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season.

“We have had great success at these championships,” said Australian Cycling Team Para-cycling Technical Director Warren McDonald. “Athletes, Coaches and support staff have worked incredibly hard together as a team to produce personal best performances.

“The year ahead to Tokyo will be challenging in the planning and timing to repeat the success of both our Track and Road World Championships of this year.”

Medal Tally

Emilie Miller (NSW) H1 - TT Gold, RR ️‍Gold
Stuart Tripp (VIC) H5 - TT 5th, RR 5th
Kaitlyn Schurmann (VIC) C1 - TT🥉, RR🥉
Darren Hicks (SA) C2 - TT ️‍Gold, RR DNF
Paige Greco (SA) C3 - TT ️‍Gold, RR 5th
David Nicholas (QLD) C3 - TT Gold, RR 10th
Emily Petricola (VIC) C4 - ️‍TT Gold, RR 5th
Meg Lemon (SA) C4 - TT🥉, RR 🥉
Hannah Macdougall (VIC) C4 - TT 4th, RR 5th
Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5 - TT Gold ️, RR 🥉
Carol Cooke (VIC) T2 - TT ️‍Gold, RR ️‍Gold
Stuart Jones (NSW) T2 - TT🥈, RR DNF
Alex Welsh (VIC) H3 - TT 18th, RR 20th

TT=Time Trial; RR=Road Race

PARA | Greco grabs road rainbows

13/9/2019

The sun shone on Team Australia on the opening day of the 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships in the Netherlands with five world titles and two bronze medals won in the time trial.

The Australian national anthem was on repeat in Emmen as Darren Hicks (C2), Emily Petricola (C4), Paige Greco (C3) Alistair Donohoe (C5) and David Nicholas (C3) took to the podium to celebrate. Significantly, the victories also secured dual 2019 track and road world crowns for the quintet after each soared to gold at the 2019 Track World Championships in March, also held in the Netherlands.

In other day one time trial results, Kaitlyn Schurmann (C1) and Meg Lemon (C4) also celebrated on the podium with bronze in their respective events.

Day 1 Medal Tally - Time Trial

🏳️‍🌈 Darren Hicks
🏳️‍🌈 Emily Petricola
🏳️‍🌈 Paige Greco
🏳️‍🌈 Alistair Donohoe
🏳️‍🌈 David Nicholas
🥉 Meg Lemon
🥉 Kaitlyn Schurmann

🏳️‍🌈 Paige Greco

Dual 2019 track champion Greco defended her H1 (handcycle) crown to claim her third career rainbow jersey.

"I’m feeling great I didn’t know I’d won until a little after I had finished I was very happy," said Greco. "I can’t believe I’ve done it on the road and track definitely learnt a lot and I think it’s given me the motivation to keep training hard in the head into next year."

Miller covered 21-kilometre course in a winning time of 32mins 10.93secs.

"The course wasn’t very technical but it was very windy and racing. Training in the wind is something I’ve had to work on. During the race I just had to stay aero on the long straights and focus on the power numbers, I was a little down on my competitors so I had to bring it home strong to get a lead on them.

"I really enjoyed the race."

Greco and Team Australia will look to add more medals in the road races on Saturday and Sunday.

About

🏳️‍🌈 2019 UCI Para Cycling Road Worlds
🌍 Netherlands
🗓 11-15 September 2019
💻 Website cyclingdrenthe.nl
⏱ Results www.votrecourse.com
📹 Live Stream www.nyaistartv.com
🇦🇺 Team Australia www.australiancyclingteam.com

PARA | Para Road Worlds Guide

12/9/2019

The Australian Team will open its 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships campaign on Thursday evening (Australian Time) in Emmen, the Netherlands.

It has been a stellar 2019 international road season for the Australian para-cyclists with twenty-nine medals claimed across the three rounds of the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup in Belgium, Italy and Canada in May and August.

At the 2019 Para-cycling Road Worlds, to be held September 12-15, a team of 13 athletes will battle against 200 of the world's best from 30 countries in the road races and time trials.

About the 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships

🏳️‍🌈 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships
🏢 Emmen, The Netherlands
🗓 11-15 September 2019
💻 Website cyclingdrenthe.nl
📹 Live Stream nyaistartv.com
⏱Results www.votrecourse.com
🇦🇺Team Australia Hub australiancyclingteam.com/pararoadworlds19
#Emmen2019 #AusCyclingTeam

Australian Team - 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships

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

Follow the #AusCyclingTeam

PARA | Cooke & Greco top World Cup standings

20/8/2019

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.”

#UCIParaWC Time Trial Day 2:
□Darren Hicks MC2 - Clocked 27mins 22secs for the 19 course to finish 11 seconds clear on top.
□Paige Greco WC3 - Posted 31mins 10secs to win bronze, just 45secs behind Sugiura of Japan. #AusCyclingTeam pic.twitter.com/oO0j8Upp0o
— AusCyclingTeam (@AusCyclingTeam) August 10, 2019

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."

TOKYO 2020 | Aussies descend on Mt Fuji

7/8/2019

Members of the Australian Cycling Team have wrapped up a reconnaissance trip to Japan for a test run on the official Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games cycling road race courses.

Rohan Dennis and Amanda Spratt, both aiming for a third Olympic Games team selection, and Paracyclist Paige Greco who is gunning for a maiden first Paralympic Team nod, covered parts of the course almost a year out from the Games.

“Little bit more humid than what we were expecting, it is obviously quite a nice track, going to be quite fast. I believe it is going to be a race of attrition on this course,” said 2018 time trial world champion Dennis.

The road races will start at Musashinonomori Park in Chofu, western Tokyo, with a 10km neutral zone through urban areas of Tokyo, roads with mountain views and attractive lakes against the backdrop of Mt. Fuji.

After leaving the Tokyo metropolitan area, the routes will take in three prefectures to the west of the capital before the race hits the lower slopes of the iconic Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain.

The final stretches of the course will feature challenging terrain before the race culminates with circuits in and around the Fuji Speedway, a motorsport race track located immediately below Mount Fuji.

“Pretty cool to be here, it is an amazing place to have the finish line for the Olympic Games, will certainly be a great spectacle with the grandstands,” Amanda Spratt, 2018 World Championship road race silver medallist.

“It is very different having such wide roads to race on, this is very different for us. But it is about picking which lines to take, so it has been really valuable to be here and ride the course.”

Greco who is aiming for selection to the Australian Paralympic team which will contest the Paralympic Games road race, individual time trial and team relay events, could picture the atmosphere expected in twelve months time.

“Good to come here ahead of the Games to learn about the heat, to feel the atmosphere of being at the track, it is exciting knowing how big it will be next year with the crowd.”

Team Announcement - 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships

5/6/2019

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

PARA | Cooke & Miller strike dual gold in Belgium

20/5/2019

Carol Cooke celebrates dual gold in Belgium.

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."

View this post on Instagram

#uciparawc Following a twelve medal haul in Italy last weekend at the opening round of the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season, the Australian team was back in action in Belgium for round two. The time trials netted gold to 2018 World Cup winner Carol Cooke (T2) and dual reigning world champion Emilie Miller (H1). Paige Greco (C3), who claimed dual gold in the opening round of the World Cup last weekend, add a third gold to her haul, with Darren Hicks winning the C2 event. 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. Em Petricola (C4) won her maiden World Cup road medal with silver, while Meg Lemon (C4) shared the podium after winning bronze. Results http://www.votrecourse.com/en/index.html Series Info https://www.uci.org/road/events/uci-para-cycling-road-world-cup #auscyclingteam

A post shared by Australian Cycling Team (@australiancyclingteam) on May 17, 2019 at 5:11pm PDT

"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 Iâ€™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 Iâ€™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."

View this post on Instagram

Not a bad haul for 2 World Cups. 2 silver, 2 gold and the Leaders World Cup jersey! Itâ€™s a great start to the year. Iâ€™m now off to Austria for 4 races in 2 weeks time. But thanks to @johnsonbicycleshq for the awesome frame. Thanks also to @vicinstsport @skcc1 @australiancyclingteam @dicellorebecca @cyclingaustralia @cyclingvictoria @bontcycling @kask_cycling @wheelscience @clarefgidd @ausparalympics Without all your assistance I wouldnâ€™t be doing what I am. #uciparacyclingworldcup #cycling #trikelife #paralympian #ridelikeagirl

A post shared by Carol Cooke (@cazcooke61) on May 18, 2019 at 5:29am PDT

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

PARA | Greco grabs dual World Cup gold in Italy

13/5/2019

The Australian Team commenced its 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup campaign with a twelve medal haul highlighted by dual gold to Adelaide’s Paige Greco.

The picturesque town of Corridonia, Italy, hosted the opening round of the 2019 season which promises to be hotly contested with valuable Paralympic Games qualification points on offer at each round.

All rounds include time trials and road races for all classes, with Greco claiming gold in both events in the C3 classification.

2019 T2 UCI World Cup champion Carol Cooke collected dual silver, 2019 track world champion Darren Hicks won dual bronze, while Meg Lemon and Hannah Macdougall found the podium twice across the weekend.

Grant Allen and Stuart Jones also collected medals during the round.

The team will now head to Ostend, Belgium for the second round of the UCI Para World Cup next weekend.

Results

Time Trial

H4 Grant Allen 4th
C2 Darren Hicks - Bronze
T2 Stuart Jones - Bronze
H5 Stuart Tripp - 12th
T2 Carol Cooke - Silver
C3 Paige Greco - Gold
C4 Meg Lemon - Bronze
C4 Hannah Macdougall - Silver

Road Race

H4 Grant Allen - Bronze
C2 Darren Hicks - Bronze
T2 Stuart Jones - 5th
H5 Stuart Tripp - 8th
T2 Carol Cooke - Silver
C3 Paige Greco - Gold
C4 Meg Lemon - Silver
C4 Hannah Macdougall - Bronze

Results http://www.votrecourse.com/en/index.html

Series Info https://www.uci.org/road/events/uci-para-cycling-road-world-cup

PARA | Nine gold, 17 medals for Australia at 2019 Para Track WorldS

18/3/2019

Photo Casey Gibson

Australia has finished second on the overall standings behind Great Britain with nine gold and a glittering 17-medal haul at the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands.

The Australian team’s results were highlighted by dual gold to David Nicholas (QLD), Alistair Donohoe (VIC) and outstanding debutant Paige Greco (SA), who broke two world records.

Emily Petricola (VIC) and Amanda Reid (NSW) also celebrated victories and world records, while Darren Hicks (SA) claimed an emotional maiden world title.
Paige Greco, a former athletics stand out who has been cycling for little more than twelve months, dominated the individual pursuit and the time trial on the opening two days of competition.

“I am very happy, two good rides, I still can’t believe it," said Greco, 22. "I’ve only been in the sport for a short time but this has given me the determination to keep training and working on the things I need to improve on.

"I’m already looking forward to getting back into training and keep working at it.”

Victoria's Alistair Donohoe claimed his fifth and sixth career world titles victories in the C5 individual pursuit and scratch race.

"This team is backing each other so much and creating such a positive environment I think it's really bringing the most of all the riders,” said Donohoe, 24. ‘It is one of the most relaxed and constructive teams I've been amongst.”

“Thank you to the Cycling Australia coaches on this trip for putting in the finishing touches and ironing out the wrinkles to allow me to stand on the top step today. The support around me is second to none and it feels as though I've had the easiest job out of them all!"

Like Donohoe, David Nicholas pulled on rainbow jerseys in both the individual pursuit and scratch race.

“It feels so awesome, I can't explain the feeling,” said Nicholas, 27, after claiming a third straight world crown in C3 individual pursuit. “It takes a lot of effort to stay on top, but it is all worth it to get the rainbow jersey!

“Thanks so much to Cycling Australia for all the help and support this year. Thanks to my coach Nick Formosa for everything he has done for me.”

Darren Hicks was in disbelief after claiming his maiden world title in the individual pursuit.

“Right now I think I’m feeling every emotion possible. I am excited and relieved, I can't quite comprehend that I've finally got my first world championship and rainbow jersey... it's crazy!” The World Championship victory capped off a difficult year for Hicks, who in January, had charges against him dropped for a 2014 freeway truck crash that killed two people, the same accident in which he 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 on my racing.

“I 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!”

Melbourne's Emily Petricola took both the world record and world title in the C4 individual pursuit and revealed the meticulous planning undertaken since winning silver at 2018 World Championships after also breaking the world record in qualifying.

"I spent a lot of time over the course of the last twelve months identifying exactly what went wrong last year and what I needed to change so I didn't have the same outcome this year," said Petricola, 38. "I worked hard with both Shane Kelly and Cameron Jennings on controlling my riding in qualifying, as I do tend to get a bit excited on race day. But I did my best to follow the instructions being given to me throughout and, thankfully, we executed two good, fast rides to get the rainbows."

Sydney's Amanda Reid broke the world record in the C2 time trial on her way to winning a third career world title.

"It took a while to sink in, I couldn’t believe the time I had just ridden,” said Reid, 22. "Now that it has all sunk in, the feeling is unbelievable, a world title is amazing and the world record on top of that is like a dream come true for me.

"I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing support system and without them, this wouldn’t be possible."

Cycling Australia Para-cycling Technical Director Warren McDonald paid tribute to his predecessor and also the state-based programs for the platform for the successful World Championships.

“I would firstly like to thank Peter Day for building such a strong Para-cycling program,” said McDonald, who assumed the role from Day last September. “We have worked hard with staff and team coaches to provide a fantastic team environment for these Championships.

“The rider’s domestic coaches have delivered their athletes to the national program in fantastic condition and need to be commended on this preparation which has resulted in such a successful World Championships.”

Australian Team Medals (17)

Gold (9)

Paige Greco (SA): 2 gold: C3 Individual Pursuit & Time Trial; world records in each event
David Nicholas (QLD): 2 gold: C3 Individual Pursuit & Scratch Race
Alistair Donohoe (VIC): 2 gold: C5 Individual Pursuit & Scratch Race
Emily Petricola (VIC): C4 Individual Pursuit & world record
Amanda Reid (NSW): C2 Time Trial & world record
Darren Hicks (SA): C2 Individual Pursuit

Silver (5)

Paige Greco (SA): C3 Scratch Race
Meg Lemon (SA): C4 Scratch Race
Amanda Reid (NSW): C2 Scratch Race
Jessica Gallagher (VIC) + Madison Janssen (VIC/Pilot): Tandem Sprint
Gordon Allan (NSW): C2 Time Trial

Bronze (3)

Emily Petricola (VIC): C4 Scratch Race
Meg Lemon (SA): C4 Individual Pursuit
Darcy Thompson C1 (SA): Scratch Race

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN CYCLING TEAM

The ‘Australian Cycling Team’ encompasses the Olympic and Paralympic cycling discipline athletes, coaches and performance support staff, previously branded the CA High Performance Unit or HPU, who will receive program support for Track and Para, and Individual Athlete Performance Support for Road and BMX, forming the core group from which CA targets its Tokyo 2020 campaign.

ABOUT CYCLING AUSTRALIA

Cycling Australia (CA) is the national body responsible for the sport of cycling in Australia as recognised by the International Cycling Union (UCI), the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC)."

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