MEDAL ALERT: Bronze for Female Tandem at Worlds

Dunlevy and McCrystal Win Bronze at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn

The female tandem of Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal  won bronze in the Women’s B 3km Individual Pursuit at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands today. In the ride-off for bronze their time of 3.39.549 was faster than GB’s time of 3.39.650 by .101 second after an exciting race which saw Ireland pull ahead in the closing metres. New Zealand took the gold medal, with silver going to Japan. This adds to the bronze medal won by Eoghan Clifford yesterday in the Men’s C3 Pursuit, and Colin Lynch’s fine fourth place position. In the men’s pursuit this morning Peter Ryan and Damien Shaw finished in 8^th place in a time of 4.30.903 in the M B 4km Pursuit. The Championships are running from Thursday 26^th March until Sunday 29^th March.

Although the Irish duo qualified for the bronze medal final as the faster bike, the British pairing of Lora Turnham and Lauryn Therin took the early lead and held a 1.4 second margin for the majority of the race. With two laps to go Ireland started pulling back, before grabbing the medal on the line. Dunlevy was delighted with the win “We had a good ride  earlier in the qualifiers, so stuck to the same game plan, and stayed controlled and on top of the gear. It’s such a blur; we didn’t know how close it was until the bang at the end.” McCrystal added that “Neill’s (Delahaye – Coach) tone on the last lap suggested we get a move on. I don’t remember the last lap; I’ve no recollection at all.”

Dunlevy and McCrystal result is all the more impressive considering Dunlevy has just recovered from an injury “Up until 6 weeks ago I was on crutches, in January I tore three ligaments in my ankle and ruptured one. The last few months have been really hard coming back from that, but I trained smart, stayed positive and worked hard on rehab. When I got back on the track I saw improvements every day, so used that positivity as a drive today. I’ve also had great support from my teammates, from Eve, from my family and friends and from Neill and Cycling Ireland. If someone said to me six weeks ago I’d be on the podium….”  McCrystal was really impressed with her partner’s determination saying “I’m delighted with the result, but especially for Katie after her injury. She has been fantastic; and really delivered today. It’s also nice to get one back on the British bike. We beat them by the same margin as they got us in the road worlds.” At the Road World Championships last August the Irish tandem were just edged out of the World Title by the GB bike, and had to settle for silver.

Tomorrow is the last day of racing, and Lynch and Clifford will be in action in the Men’s C1-2-3 Scratch Race, a relatively new race on the Paracycling race programme. Competition began in the Apeldoorn Velodrome on Thursday 26^th March and will continue until Sunday the 29^th March, with all competitions taking place during the day.  

PROVISIONAL Competition Schedule - Irish team at UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships

(All times quoted are Irish time; approximate and schedule may be subject to change)