A Look Back at 2025 – Para-cycling
Irish para-cycling continued to go from strength to strength in 2025, both on the international and domestic stage.
In the first part of the ‘A Look Back at 2025’ series, we reflect on another brilliant year for para-cycling.
It was a busy year for Irish para-cyclists both on the High Performance and Development squad with multiple international and national races on the calendar. 2025 saw Irish riders podiums at World Cup and World Championships. This success continues to provide inspiration for those only beginning their journey into para-cycling. 2025 saw emerging talent gain valuable experience with the continued success of the Development squad.
World Championship Success
A six strong Irish team headed to the UCI Para-cycling World Championships in Ronse, Belguim in August.
Following from their Paralympic success and World Championship success in 2024, Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly were crown World Champions in both the Women’s B Time Trial and Road Race for the third consecutive year.
Retaining their titles did not come without challenges, especially in the Road Race where Dunlevy and Kelly faced technical problems. The pair showed exceptional resilience to top the podium once again.
Damien Vereker and Mitchell McLaughlin partnered for Men’s B Time Trial and Road Race. Their week got off to a strong start, coming seventh in the Time Trial. Unfortunately, the Road Race did not go according to plan with a crash knocking them out of contention.
Richael Timothy was in action in the Women’s C3 Time Trial and Road Race, finishing tenth in the Time Trial and fifth in the Road Race.
Cormac O’Callaghan made his return to World Championship action, having previously ridden in Scotland in 2023. O’Callaghan finished 12th in the Men’s C1 Time Trial and tenth in the Road Race.
Looking back on 2025, Jamie Blanchfield, National Para-cycling Coach said:
“2025 has been a year of rebuilding and renewed momentum, marked by the steady growth of our programme and the emergence of new talent.
“Through the year we scored multiple World Cup podiums, an overall World Cup Title in the WB Category, and celebrated Katie-George Dunlevy, and Linda Kelly doubling up in both road and time trial World Championships for the third consecutive year.
“We finished the year with one of the biggest Para-cycling specific training camps we have ever had, fielding over 18 riders between our elite national squad, and national development squad on both road and track across C-Class, Handbike, and Tandem Categories. This camp marked the start of our build into 2026, and ultimately the first step in our qualification bid for L.A."
The Para-cycling Development Squad and National League
2025 saw continued focus and growth within the Para-cycling Development which provides athletes an opportunity and a pathway to progress to the High Performance Programme and an opportunity to represent Ireland at international events.
2025 also saw more integration between the two squads, culminating in a combined training camp in Portugal in November.
Reflecting on 2025, Marcin Mizgajski, HP Paracycling Development Coach said:
"The 2025 season was one to remember for the Cycling Ireland Para Development Squad — a year defined by big steps forward, tighter integration with the elite setup, and enough collective enthusiasm to power a small wind farm.
“Highlighted by strong development pathways, increased collaboration, and standout performances both at home and abroad.
“The squad showed clear progression throughout the year, with riders demonstrating improved technical ability, consistency, and race readiness. Integration with the Paracycling Elite Team strengthened further through joint training camps and shared performance structures, providing development athletes with valuable experience and a clear pathway toward elite competition.
“Internationally, the team delivered exceptional results. At the Hetman Para Stage Race in Poland, riders performed impressively across all stages. This was followed by an outstanding collective victory at Challenge Breton (C1), France, where the team secured wins across all categories.
“Several development riders also participated in elite training camps, gaining exposure to higher-performance environments, while others achieved notable success domestically, including victories in the National League.
“The 2025 season reflects a squad moving confidently forward professional in its approach, committed to development, and maintaining the positive spirit that underpins its progress."
The National Para-cycling League, the Revolution Cup, continues to provide a great environment for both up and coming riders, and seasoned athletes alike.
2025 saw the Revolution Cup take place across 11 rounds around Ireland. Cormac O’Callaghan won the C1-C5 league. He was joined on the podium by Heather Jameson in second and Richael Timothy in third.
Once again, Declan Slevin claimed the top spot in the H1-H5 league. Steven McGowan was second and Seamus Wall was third. In the B – Tandem league victory went Ciaran O’Toole, with Ciaran Bulter in second and Damien Vereker in completing the podium.
Ciarain Kelly won the Junior league, and Senan Darcy was second. A special mention goes to Jessica Kennedy who won the Para-cycling Commission Participation prize for most rounds attended.
Adaptive Mountain Biking
History was also made this year, with the first ever Adaptive MTB Race on Irish soil taking place at the Slieve Blooms Mountain Bike Festival. The race came on the heels of immense work from Project Mjolnir's Noel Joyce, the team at Biking.ie, Coillte and Cycling Ireland's participation department. This event was a major milestone not just in para sport but also making the outdoors more accessible to wheelchair users. Find out more about the event here.