Two Waipā riders have starred at the UCI Para-Cycling track world championships which wrapped up on Monday.
Devon Briggs on the podium. Photo: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Devon Briggs is returning home to Cambridge from Brazil with a gold medal – again.
On Monday he clocked up his second successive world championship cycling track title in Rio de Janeiro.
And Ngāhinapōuri’s Nicole Murray, who enjoyed world championship medal success on the road seven weeks ago, won bronze on the final day in the C5 10,000m. She rode down the attempted breaks and was strong in the spring to finish on the podium for her fourth medal of the week.
Victory in the C3 10km race for the 21-year-old Briggs came at the same velodrome as his 2024 success. He sat in the pack for much of the race, then unleashed a sprint on the final lap.
Nicole Murray leads the pack. Photo: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
“Overall it has been an amazing week,” said Briggs. “I rode a good strong race and had a good sprint at the end. And I get to wear the rainbow jersey for another year.”
He was part of a four strong Cycling New Zealand team who won three medals on the fourth and final day to card 13 for the championships. Emma Foy (Dargaville) and Rotorua’s Siobhan Terry completed the team.
Cycling New Zealand Para-cycling head coach Brendon Cameron of Cambridge said it had been a good four days with a new format and some new races in the UCI calendar – most to be raced at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Briggs missed part of the Paris Paralympics with injury.
The UCI Track World Championships in Chile start today.
Emma Foy and Jessie Hodges get a helping hand from coach Brendon Cameron on the final day of the UCI Para-cycling Track World championships in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Devon Briggs in action. Photo: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
