Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the athletes selected to the Australian Team to contest the 2020 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships to be held in Belgium in June. 

The 2020 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships will be held in Ostend, Belgium, from 4-7 June with the time trial and road race held across four disciplines Handbike (H), Cycle (C), Tri-cycle (T) and Tandem. 

The team features nine-time world champion Carol Cooke (VIC), who claimed both road and time trial world titles in 2019, and reigning time trial world champions Emily Petricola (VIC), Alistair Donohoe (VIC) and Darren Hicks (SA). 

2019 World Championship medalists Meg Lemon (SA) and Stuart Jones (NSW), 2016 Paralympic Games silver medalist Stuart Tripp (VIC) and Grant Allen (SA), round out the eight-member team. 

The Championships will be one of the final stops for Australia’s para-cyclists ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 

“In line with our Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games strategy, we have selected a strong team to compete in Belgium,” said Warren McDonald, Para-cycling Technical Director, Cycling Australia. 

“After our recent success at the 2020 Para-cycling Track World Championships in Canada, I am confident we can continue this trajectory through Belgium as we close in on the Paralympic Games.”

The road cycling competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be held 1-4 September. 
​
Australian Team for 2020 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships 

• Carol Cooke (VIC) T2 - 2019 road & time trial world champion 
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5 - 2019 time trial world champion
• Darren Hicks (SA) C2 - 2019 time trial world champion
• Stuart Jones (NSW) T2 - 2019 World Championships time trial silver medallist 
• Meg Lemon (SA) C4 - 2019 World Championships road & time trial bronze medallist  
• Emily Petricola (VIC) C4  - 2019 time trial world champion
• Stuart Tripp (VIC) H5 - 2019 World Championships 5th road; 4th time trial 
• Grant Allen (SA) H4 - 2019 Canada World Cup silver &2019 Italian World Cup bronze

The Australian Cycling Team has finished third on the medal tally at the 2020 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships held in Milton, Canada, January 30 to February 2. 

The Australian Team's eight athletes won a total of eight gold, one silver and one bronze, with powerhouse China the only nation to win more gold with nine. Only China (21), Great Britain (14) and the USA (12) won more total medals.

Triple rainbows for Emily Petricola (VIC), dual crowns for Amanda Reid (NSW), and gold to Paige Greco (SA), David Nicholas (QLD) and Alistair Donohoe (VIC) highlighted the Championships.

"I am very pleased from the solid performances from the targeted group of athletes we selected," said Warren McDonald, Para-cycling Technical Director, Cycling Australia. 

"To finish so high on the medal table, while competing against teams over twice our size, is a testament to the hard work and commitment from all of our athletes and staff. 

"While we recognise there is still work to be done, I am confident the athletes and the high-performance team behind them are on a trajectory for a successful campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games."

Medals (8 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
​

• Emily Petricola (VIC) C4 - Gold individual pursuit, scratch race, omnium
• Amanda Reid (NSW) C2 - Gold time trial, omnium 
• David Nicholas (QLD) C3 - Gold individual pursuit 
• Alistair Donohoe (VIC) C5 - Gold scratch race 
• Paige Greco (SA) C3 - Gold individual pursuit 
• Meg Lemon (SA) C4 - Silver individual pursuit
• Gordon Allan (NSW) C2 - Bronze time trial

Event Summaries

Head to https://www.australiancyclingteam.com/2020paratrackworlds.html 

#Milton2020 🌈 Day 1 | Paige Greco and ‪David Nicholas defended their individual pursuit world titles on the opening day of the 2020 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships to be held from 30 January to 2 February. 

Paige Greco (SA) staged a sensational comeback inside the final few hundred metres of her C3 3000m final to defend her world title. 

The fastest qualifier in the morning session (4:02.474), Greco, 22, found herself down by nearly three seconds at the halfway mark in her final against Clara Brown (USA). The reigning world champion was not fazed by the deficit however as she controlled her to peg back Brown’s lead with five hundred metres remaining. 

Greco then powered over the final two laps to win by more than four seconds, with her stunning time of 4mins 0.243secs just two-tenths of a second outside of her own world record set one year ago at the World Championships in Apeldoorn. 

"I was happy with the overall result of the day," said Greco. "I worried myself a little in the final when I was down a few seconds but thankfully had it in my legs to bring it home in the last two laps. I’m very happy I was able to defend my title in the individual pursuit."

‪David Nicholas (QLD) claimed a fourth straight individual pursuit rainbow jersey and sixth career track world title after winning the C3 event. 

Nicholas (3:29.700) recorded the fastest time of qualifying, just two-tenths of a second ahead of Great Britain’s Jaco Van Gass which set up an exciting clash for gold. 

In the 3000m final, Van Gass rocketed to a lead of one second after the first two of twelve laps, before extending his lead to nearly two seconds at the halfway mark.

In a fitting finale to end the opening day’s schedule, Nicholas grabbed the lead on the final lap and showed his class by racing to the gold by half a second (3:28.764).

"I felt good coming into this World Championships. I had no expectations after a minor set back following a crash at the World Cup in Brisbane in December. I felt really relaxed heading to the start line and was happy I performed well," said Nicholas. "It was a tough final to back up against Jaco Van Gass, but I managed to squeeze everything out of myself and luckily get there in the last two laps."

Defending world champion Darren Hicks (SA) was edged off the podium in a scorching C2 3000m pursuit competition which saw the world record smashed in qualifying by eventual gold medallist Ewoud Vromant of Belgium. 

As he continues his comeback to racing following an injury which forced him out of the Road Nationals earlier this month, Hicks looked strong as he clocked the third-fastest time (3:39.276) in afternoon qualifying. 

In the final against Guihua Liang (CHN), Hicks held the lead at the 2000m mark before Liang took the lead inside the second last lap and the bronze which sent Hicks into fourth overall (3:42.718). 

In the time trials, Emily Petricola (VIC) (38.799) finished just two tenths off a second off the podium in fourth in the Women C4 500m Time Trial, while Meg Lemon (SA) was seventh (40.983). Canada’s Kate O’Brien won gold in world record time (35.223). 

Alistair Donohoe (VIC) was 15th (1:08.118) in the Men C5 Kilo Time Trial final. 

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)

QUOTES

Darren Hicks
Just this last weekend, we saw seven world records broken,so  you don’t just win one race and that’s a good year, you need to keep winning. I won three of the four World Cups on the road, two world championships and three national championships, and that’s barely enough. We have such a strong para squad and it’s a pleasure to be a part of it. It’s amazing to get this award.  
 
Paige Greco 
I’ve had a really awesome year, and it means a lot. Every time I look at it reminds me of an awesome year and it’s my first year on the team. I’ve been working really hard, and it’s been really good to see the results. It’s been an amazing year and I still can’t believe where I have been with my teammates!

Alistair Donohoe
This award highlights the fact I had to win three world championships just to get the award. David Nicholas was in there and he didn’t get an award. We’ve got some serious depth so it’s kind of exciting. I am stoked [with where I’m at], it just feels amazing to be back where I think I should be, after some ill health in 2017, I am really building back up in 2019. 

I personally think this award personally means a lot to me tonight. 

Carol Cooke
We have such a strong group of para-cyclists and that many world champions on this team. That being singled out for this [award] is very special, especially at this age and you know I hope that by showing people that it doesn’t matter what number it is that’s attached to your age and that if you love doing something that you can just keep doing it and reap the benefits of it. I think that this year has probably been the best year I’ve ever had because I didn’t put the pressure on myself that I had to be on the top step it was about enjoying it, it was about having fun and I probably had the most fun that I’ve ever had in a year of racing. 

Brandon Loupos
I don’t think it could have been better. It was cool. I can’t wait for 2020. I did so much learning in 2019 and it’s all about keeping that consistency in 2020 and to go or the gold in Tokyo. Logan won it (this award) two years in a row and I am stoked to come away with the win this year, it’s definitely an honour and to be the elite BMX cyclist of the year is pretty special. There’s a lot of world champions who don’t get to win this award and I’m blessed to not only win a world championship but to also win this award. 
 
Saya Sakakibara
It was a challenging but fulfilling season. Compared to last year I didn’t produce the results; I had a lot of mental challenges and having six crashes in four months it was definitely really tough to line up on the gate with other riders. But with the worlds I thought my performance was really good, I didn’t get the results I wanted but it adds fuel to the fire and makes me a lot hungrier. I finished off the season with a win at the Olympic test event and is such a great confidence booster. 
 
Amanda Spratt
It’s been a really great year and I am really proud to get this award tonight it caps it off, I think it’s been my best year to date. Maybe I didn’t get the same results on paper as what I got last year but I am really, really proud to finish off with a bronze medal after a great team performance also. It’s amazing, I love coming to this event every year, you get so much motivation out of it. You see the videos of what people have done and hear some stories you maybe didn’t know about some people and it’s just a feeling of motivation and excitement. I always walk out of here, ready to bust into training the next day!
 
Ashlee Ankudinoff
It’s pretty humbling, to be honest. I’ve been in this sport for ten years now and it’s been a long time coming. I’ve had a successful career and now I am getting towards the end so it’s really nice to come here and celebrate the success, not just the success of myself but of others. I definitely think I am in the form of my life. I have a great support network back in Adelaide and the environment there is unbelievable. I have trust in the process in what we’re doing. I go to training every day knowing that I have the support from everyone from the Cycling Australia staff.  Olympic gold is why I am still riding. I definitely would not be riding if I had ticked all my goals off and the Olympic gold is definitely one, and hopefully next August I can do that.

Sam Welsford
It’s been a ripper year. I never thought I’d be able to go dual world champion in one year, so I’m just really over the moon. I love coming to the Awards, it’s such a special night, to see Australia’s best come through to all celebrate the year we’ve had. I get really gee’d up when I see the year’s recap video, it makes you really forget about the Awards itself and makes you realise how special it is to ride for Australia.  
 
(On Tim Decker receiving Coach of the Year Award) Tim holds a special place in my heart he’s been my coach for a long time, starting in 2015 when I first moved to Adelaide, Tim backed me a said “look mate, if you want to be apart of this you’ve got to put the work in” so, I trusted him from then on. Really happy for him to get that award and I know that he holds the award itself very close to him. He strives and works really hard for that I think this is just a testament to what he puts in. ​

Australia’s para-cycling stars will be chasing Tokyo 2020 glory at Brisbane’s Anna Meares Velodrome when it hosts the 2019-2020 TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup from December 13-15. 
​
Para-cycling will take centre stage across the three days with the event to include a UCI category 1 event for the time trial, individual pursuit and scratch race with critical qualifying points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 

Read more >>> brisbanetrackworldcup.com 

Australia’s summer of track cycling begins on Friday 1 November when Brisbane’s Anna Meares Velodrome hosts the 2020 Para-cycling Track National Championships.

Australia’s para-cycling stars will be on show including reigning world champions Alistair Donohoe (VIC), Amanda Reid (NSW), Darren Hicks (SA), David Nicholas (QLD), Emily Petricola (VIC) and Paige Greco (SA).

Victoria’s reigning C4 individual pursuit world champion and world record holder Emily Petricola is eager to get back on the track to begin the build towards Tokyo 2020. 

“I really I want to go out and have a solid performance in the pursuit and I’m keen to see how my starts go, as generally, that is my weak spot due to my impairment,” said Petricola, who will line up in the rainbow on Saturday in the individual pursuit, while also contesting three other Championship events. 

“I would really like to do a good 500 (metre time trial). I love the 500 find it really fun, and I am having a crack at the team sprint with Paige (Greco) and Amanda (Reid) which will be fun.”

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

“I can’t believe that I’ve done the double. But I came into this year with no expectations, to enjoy racing and have fun. It’s turned out to be the best year ever,” said Cooke, who won four gold and two silver during the 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup to be crowned series champion. 

“I’ve learned a lot this year in regards to tactics and learning how to race (yes even after doing this for eight years) and that all comes from being open to trying new things with my coach Rebecca DiCello and my sports scientist Nick Owen. Those tactics certainly came into play today and helped me win this race.” 

Cooke will head to the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire this week to contest a UCI Para road race before the triple Paralympic champion takes a well-earned break. 

“For the first time at the able-bodied World Championships there will be a para race, so I am looking forward to helping make history by racing there! Then it’s home to have a short break, re-connect with my husband, dog and family as it has been such a big year. 

​“But I’ll be back in training soon as 2020 is a big one with the Tokyo Paralympics. So I’ll have to pick it up, even more, to firstly make the team and then if I do try and replicate Rio,” Cooke added. 

​​The Australian Cycling Team finished on top of the gold medal tally with 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).

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

“Getting to stand on the podium wearing the green and gold is always a proud moment, so it was exciting to be able to do that twice this week in what has been an incredible week for the whole team,” said Bathurst's Miller, who like Cooke, was crowned World Cup series winner in 2019. 

“Winning dual rainbows and the World Cup series in 2019 sums up the hard work both myself and my support team have put in this year. I showed some good form at the World Cup in Belgium, and we built on it again this week at Worlds, so it’s a great feeling knowing I’m continually improving and becoming a better athlete.”

Miller will take an extended break before embarking on her 2020 campaign which begins with the 2020 Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat.
​ 
“I’ll have a few weeks off before I turn my attention to the Federation University Road National Championships in January. I'm looking forward to racing on the new time trial course in rainbows to see what I can produce there.”

The Australian Cycling Team finished  on top of the gold medal tally with 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).


"I would like to take the opportunity to thank my huge support network. The Australian Cycling Team staff have been incredible over the past few weeks as always, my home coaches who keep me going in the right direction, and my amazing family and friends."

Following a five-world title haul on day one, Australia has added more rainbows at the 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships in the Netherlands with Carol Cooke (VIC) and Emilie Miller (NSW) winning the time trial.

Cooke claimed her eighth career world title as she raced to win the T2 (tricycle) time trial by more than one minute to her nearest rival. 

"I’m absolutely stoked to have won my eighth title, it actually feels surreal!," remarked Cooke, the dual reigning Paralympic time trial champion. "I think from now on Friday the 13th will be a good luck day for me!"

Cooke clocked 38mins 11:66secs across the 20.8-kilometre course to take the gold over longtime rival Jill Walsh (USA). 

"I wanted to make sure I had something in the tank for the second lap so tried to not take it out too hard," Cooke detailed her ride. "After the first lap I knew I was up on the American but wanted a bigger buffer so really tried to dig deep on the second lap."

Team Australia now boasts seven gold in two days ​after Darren Hicks (C2), Emily Petricola (C4), Paige Greco (C3) Alistair Donohoe (C5) and David Nicholas (C3) won the time trial on Thursday. 

"The team is defining a high. We are such a close knit team, athletes and staff, so it’s great to see every doing so well," added Cooke.

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

Stuart Jones (NSW) claimed silver in the T2 final, while Stuart Tripp (VIC) came agonisingly close to a medal after finishing 0.4 of a second off the H5 podium in fourth. Alex Welsh (VIC) was 18th in the H3 time trial.

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​

​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

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

​🏳️‍🌈 Alistair Donohoe 

In a nail-biting final, Alistair Donohoe secured his maiden time trial world title by less than two seconds on the opening day of the 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships in the Netherlands.  

Donohoe averaged 47km/hour across the 32km course to clock 39mins 22:52secs to dash the hopes of Dutch cyclist Daniel Abraham by mere centimetres in the C5 final. 

“I can’t quite believe it just yet, it’s pretty surreal to me. I’ve been chasing the time trial gold for a few years now and to snatch it by 1.7 seconds is just amazing.

“The course was pretty technical, with seven corners a lap for three laps, it was tough to find your rhythm for long periods of time. 

“We had a plan to go out conservatively because the back end of the race was really hurting people all day and I was fortunate enough to keep some gas in the tank for the last 15 kilometres and come home really well.”

The win was the third rainbow jersey of 2019 for Donohoe after the Victorian won two world titles in the C5 individual pursuit and scratch race at the 2019 Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, in March.

“Must be something in the Dutch water?”

Donohoe will now turn his focus to Saturday’s road race and as defending 

“It’s been a nice few months racing in Europe with ACA and I think it’s been perfect preparation. Going back to back always feels harder, feels like a bit more pressure with that invisible target painted on you, but that’s part of the fun.”

While he has his sights on the road race in twenty-four hours time, Donohoe also has one eye on a second Paralympic Games team. 

“Being a year out from Tokyo, it was a good chance to test some different preparation and training methods coming into the worlds to see what works best and what doesn’t. There is definitely room for improvement in all areas, which fills me with confidence heading forward to next year.”

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​


🏳️‍🌈 Emily Petricola 

Emily Petricola claimed gold in the C4 time trial on the opening day of the 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships in the Netherlands. 

“I was honestly ecstatic to win! I've had a pretty tough prep with a lot of disruption and I knew it would take a really good performance to win today. I'm glad that despite everything going on in the lead-up, I could get the result for the coaches and our team.” 

Petricola covered the technical 21-kilometre course in a time of 30mins 55.57 seconds, 32 seconds ahead of Shawn Morelli (USA). Petricola was able to celebrate with compatriot Meg Lemon (32:23:64) after she raced to win the bronze. 

“The course was a bit deceptive. Even though the course was flat it was pretty windy out there. It all went by pretty fast, although it doesn't feel like that when you are doing it!”

The win continues Petricola’s stunning 2019 season after the Victorian won the track world title in the C4 individual pursuit, in world record time, at the 2019 Track World Championships in the Netherlands, in March. 

“It is incredible! I've been really stubborn about wanting to improve on the road and do well there. It is amazing to think that this country has delivered me my maiden world titles on both the track and the road - it will definitely always hold a special place in my heart as a result.”

With Petricola targeting her maiden Paralympic Games team for Tokyo 2020, the result provides a perfect platform from which to build. 

“It is a really important measuring stick in terms of where we are at in relation to the rest of the world ahead of Tokyo. It certainly gives us a great opportunity to see our strengths and weaknesses and start to plot a strategy for training to make sure we maximize our achievements there next year. It is a really exciting time for our team - we are strong in terms of both performances on the bike as well as our support off it.”

The Australian Team has arrived in the Netherlands ahead of the 2019 UCI Para Road World Championships which will be held from 12-15 September in Emmen, the Netherlands. 
 
We sat down with Para-cycling Technical Director Warren McDonald as he eyes this week's Championships and next year's Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 

"It's been a little while, but it's been fantastic, the athletes are athletes, and they're giving 100%," said McDonald, who took the helm of the Australian Cycling Team's Para-cycling program in early 2018 after previously holding the role of National Women's Road Coach from 2004-2008. 

"Whether it is training, on or off the bike, it's fantastic to be involved with the athletes. We have an excellent team of coaches and sports and performance support behind the athletes."

It has been a stellar opening to the 2019 international road 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 before taking five in the final round in Canada in August. 

Australia also finished second in 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 March.

"The Track World Championships was a great success, coming away with nine world championships was fantastic," said McDonald. "We're looking at some great new talent but also some talent that's been in the system consistently, David Nicholas, for example, is a world champion again and Darren Hicks' first world title."

At the 2019 Para-cycling Road Worlds, McDonald will lead a team of 13 athletes as they battle against 200 of the world's best from 30 countries in the road races and time trials. 

The team is littered with stars including reigning world champion Emilie Miller (NSW), seven-time world champion Carol Cooke (VIC) and newcomer Paige Greco (SA) who each won their respective 2019 World Cup seasons. 

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. 

"We're hoping the Netherlands will be great for us again during the Road World Championships," added McDonald. "Looking forward to seeing Darren at the world road titles in Holland, and Paige is also crossing over from track to road. She was very competitive in the individual time trial and being quite young we're hoping the road race will be an opportunity for her as well." 

While rainbow jerseys are on offer, valuable qualification points towards the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is on McDonald's agenda. 

"Twelve months away from the Paralympic Games, and we still have to qualify positions for our team for the athletes, so a lot is going on," McDonald added. "The World Championships are fantastic, and are a reward for the riders and for the system, but we are looking at what it will take to be on top of the podium in Tokyo." 

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

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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."

The 2019 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup season wraps up in Baie-Comeau, Canada, August 8-11. 

The Australian Team netted twelve medals at each of the the first two rounds in Belgium and Italy in May.

The Australians in action in Canada includes Carol Cooke (T2) and Paige Greco (C3) who boast the World Cup leader's jersey, plus Darren Hicks (C2), Stuart Tripp (H5) and Grant Allen (H4). 
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• WATCH LIVE at paracyclismebaiecomeau.com 
• RESULTS via uci.org/para-cycling/events