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As reigning World Champions Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly were last to go out of the 12 bikes in the Women’s B Individual Time Trial, they finished in a time of 43:14.47 to win Gold.
Today’s win is not only the second consecutive World Championship title for Dunlevy and Kelly but also adds to the gold medal they won in the same event at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games earlier this month.
The podium remained unchanged from that of just a few weeks ago at the Paralympic Games. Sophie Unwin, piloted by Jenny Holl, won Silver and Lora Fachie, piloted by Corrine Hall, completed the podium, both for Great Britain.
Also competing in the Women’s B Individual Time Trial and adding to the Irish success was Josephine Healion, piloted by Eve McCrystal. On the back of a very successful Paralympic debut Healion and McCrystal finished in fourth place in a time of 46:24.03.
Healion, who continues to go from strength to strength, went one better than her Paralympic result showing she is a rider to watch going forward. Today marked the last Time Trial for McCrystal who will retire from elite level competition following these championships.
The 29.9km route, which had an elevation gain of 327m proved testing. Dunlevy and Kelly finished over one minute ahead of Unwin and Holl.
Only half a minute separated the two British bikes in second and third.
Both Dunlevy and Kelly, and Healion and McCrystal, will race again on Wednesday, 25th of September in the Women’s B Road Race.
Today was the first day of racing at the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. The championships will continue until Sunday, 29th of September with 24 Irish riders competing throughout.
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Tomorrow will see Seth Dunwoody and Conor Murphy compete in the Men’s Junior Time Trial and brother Darren and Adam Rafferty compete in the Men’s Under 23 Time Trial.