Gold for Dunlevy and Kelly at World Championships
Linda Kelly and Katie-George Dunlevy are World Champions
Photo: SW PIX
Starting what will be an exciting and busy week for Irish cycling, Katie-George Dunlevy, piloted by Linda Kelly, got Ireland off to an excellent start at the UCI Road and Para-cycling World Championships.
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.
Speaking afterwards, Dunlevy said:
“Yeah, really enjoyed the courses there were uphill and downhill sections so we knew based on our race in Paris that we would get time hopefully on the hills. We had to go over on our power on the hills and just really deliver a good solid ride and really go for it. And we did and we’re delighted.
“You have to just attack each bit that you’re on, not think too far ahead when it comes to the Time Trial of you’re just racing against the clock. It’s just keeping that speed of the tandem going efficiently together. Pushing on together out of the corners, Linda’s control of the bike down the descents and round the bends really well. On the hills we’re just together.
“It felt like we were together and moving that bike really well, just a matter of being confident but strong and just finishing giving everything we can.”
Dunlevy and Kelly got a unique opportunity to take in the atmosphere a little more than normal.
“We were able to celebrate. Our one minute person, who was second place, and we went past them just coming into the finish which is such a nice feeling. It doesn’t always happen like that. No race is over until you’ve crossed that line, you want to give it your all but yeah I was celebrating coming to the line. It’s my ninth World title and my second with Linda, defending my title.” Dunlevy added.
Kelly was equally delighted with the performance.
“I really enjoyed the course, as Katie mentioned it was quite mixed, so you had fast descents, technical, then we had our favourites - the hills!
“I really enjoyed the course, even towards the last 7 / 8 km’s when we passed the British bike it was such a nice feeling.
“We were just over the moon, it’s just so nice to get that two years in a row and just to celebrate it. You look forward to wearing the rainbow colours again next year.”
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.
Josephine Healion, piloted by Eve McCrystal, finished fourth in the Women's B Individual Time Trial
Photo: SW Pix
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.
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.