World Championship gold for New Zealand Para-Cyclists
20 March 2016, 1:28PM
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ)
The New Zealand Para-Cycling team once again showed the talent and speed of which they have long been known for on day two of the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Italy.
The tandem pairing of Emma Foy and Laura Thompson (sighted pilot) defended their World Championship title for the second consecutive year by taking the rainbow jersey in the Women’s B 3km Pursuit.
Emma and Laura said, “We are really happy to have defended our World title again this year. Our campaign to this event has been a bit challenging, which makes today's performance even more satisfying. This is the first Track World Champs that we have competed at with our new coach Jono Hailstone and we are very pleased with the dynamic we have found as a team. The Track World Champs are important with it being a Paralympic year and we are looking forward to continuing to push forward for a big 2016.”
Emma and Laura rode a very strong final to convincingly beat the Japanese tandem of Yurie Kanuma and Mai Tanaka (sighted pilot).
Jono Hailstone (Head Performance Coach, Para-Cycling) said, “It was great to see Emma and Laura defend their world title for the second time. They have had to overcome a few challenges as well as changes within the PNZ Para-Cycling programme this season so to retain their world title with a comfortable buffer over their nearest competition is testament to their resilience & strong work ethic, and is a great confidence booster six months out from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.”
Emma Foy and Laura Thompson with Jono Hailstone (Head Performance Coach, Para-Cycling). Photo © Paralympics New Zealand
The new Kiwi tandem pairing of Amanda Cameron and Hannah van Kampen (sighted pilot) also competed in the Women’s B 3km Pursuit placing 5th. This was a personal best performance and an outstanding World Championships debut.
Tomorrow will be a busy day at the track with the entire New Zealand Para-Cycling team competing across a mix of Time Trial, Pursuit and Scratch races (see schedule below).
Event schedule for 2016 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships starting 18 March:
| NZ Time | Classification | Result |
| Friday 18 March | ||
| Fiona Southorn - C5 500m Time Trial | C5 | 9th |
| Kate Horan – C4 500m Time Trial | C4 | Bronze |
| Byron Raubenheimer - C4 1km Time Trial | C4 | 9th |
| Saturday 19 March | ||
| Emma Foy / Laura Thompson – BW 3km Pursuit | BW Tandem | Gold |
| Amanda Cameron / Hannah van Kampen – BW 3km Pursuit | BW Tandem | 5th and PB |
| Sunday 20 March | ||
| Emma Foy / Laura Thompson – BW 1km Time Trial | BW Tandem | |
| Amanda Cameron / Hannah van Kampen – BW 1km Time Trial | BW Tandem | |
| Kate Horan – C4 3km Pursuit | C4 | |
| Byron Raubenheimer – C4 3km Pursuit | C4 | |
| Fiona Southorn – C5 3km Pursuit | C5 | |
| Kate Horan – C4 10 km Scratch race | C4 | |
| Byron Raubenheimer – C4 15 km Scratch Race | C4 | |
| Fiona Southorn – C5 10km Scratch Race | C5 | |
| Monday 21 March | ||
| Kate Horan / Fiona Southorn / Byron Raubenheimer - C1 – C5 Team Sprint | C1 – C5 |
Event website: http://www.giubileodisabiliroma.it/ Live streaming is available at http://www.rai.tv/