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PARA | Pursuit perfection - Petricola on top of the world

17/3/2019

Photo Casey Gibson.

Victoria's Emily Petricola is celebrating after claiming both the world record and world title in the C4 individual pursuit at the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in the Netherlands.

In a stunning afternoon qualifying ride, Petricola broke her own world record with a time of 3mins 53.297secs for the three-kilometre event. In the final, Canada's Kelly Shaw was no match with Petricola overtaking her opponent before the finish line to take the gold.

We have a NEW WORLD RECORD as Emily Petricola clocks 3:53.297 □ □

She’ll face Shaw □□ again in the Final who goes 3:57.490 □#Apeldoorn2019 pic.twitter.com/yPfmYMwker
— UCI Para-Cycling (@UCI_paracycling) March 16, 2019

"The world record was very unexpected and unplanned, so it is hard describe or articulate exactly how I felt," said Petricola, however the Victorian could detail the meticulous planning involved 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," she said. "I've worked really hard with both Shane Kelly and Cameron Jennings on controlling my riding so I can go faster in a second pursuit ride than in qualifying.

"This is difficult for me as I do tend to get a bit excited on race day, but I really did my best to follow the instructions being given to me throughout and, thankfully, today we executed two good, fast rides to get the rainbows."

Relocating from Melbourne to the Australian Cycling Team headquarters in Adelaide earlier this year, Petricola was quick to thank coaches in both cities.

"I have to thank first and foremost Cam Jennings for his coaching guidance and support. Shane Kelly who until my recent relocation spent a huge amount of time and energy teaching me so much; Harry Brennan for his expertise and support I in more areas than he is obliged to provide.

"But to all CA staff that are here with us - they have been beyond incredible including Warren McDonald, Keren Faulkner, Eliza Smythe, Nick Formosa, Mikey Winter, Jade Lean, Nathan Jennings and Louise Marvin.

"All my friends and family that have provided unending patience in their support of me doing this."

Later in the sessions, Petricola backed up her gold medal performance with a bronze in the C4 scratch race.

Team mate Meg Lemon took silver in the scratch race, while also taking bronze in the individual pursuit.

#Apeldoorn2019 □World Record □
Congrats to @emily_petricola who has clocked 3:53.297 in the C4 IP!
A happy coach @CamJenningsCC #AusCyclingTeam pic.twitter.com/0rxFSodJY1
— AusCyclingTeam (@AusCyclingTeam) March 16, 2019

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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.

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© Casey B. Gibson