Australian team announced for 2022 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships

14 Sep 2022 | 11:00 AMBy: Australian Cycling Team

AusCycling has named an Australian squad of 12 para-cycling track cyclists to battle for rainbow jerseys at the 2022 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France from October 20-23.

This 2022 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be the first edition of the event held since 2020 in Milton, Canada, where Australia claimed nine medals: eight gold, one silver and one bronze.

All five of Australia’s reigning world champions, Emily Petricola, Amanda Reid, David Nicholas, Paige Greco and Alistair Donohoe, have been selected to defend their rainbow jerseys from 2020.

Joining the rainbow quintet in France this October is Gordon Allan, Darren Hicks, Michael Shippley, Meg Lemon, Jessica Gallagher and pilot Caitlin Ward, and Erin Rowell.

Six of the 12 travel to France off the back of the 2022 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Baie-Comeau, Canada, including Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medallist Greco.

The 25-year-old said she was looking forward to racing on the track internationally again for the first time since Tokyo last year.

“My aim is to do the best I can and focus on riding my best race and completing the processes right such as having a good warm-up, holding good positions, and if it leads to the outcome of being on the podium that would be awesome,” Greco said.

*Paige Greco has been wearing rainbows for more than two years as the current women's C3 individual pursuit world champion. Picture: Casey Gibson*

“But if not, at least I know I’ve done the best that I can.

“Getting race experience in Canada has got me excited to be competing again internationally.

“I always love racing and having a quick turnaround between races has been great - I try and keep focused and stay on task for the next big event, which makes it easier off the back of an event.

“I haven’t raced at this velodrome before, so I’m really excited to get on it and see what it’s like.

“We’re really lucky to get a taste of what the velodrome is like as this is the same track we will be racing at in Paris 2024.”

*Amanda Reid will be defending two world championships next month. Picture: Casey Gibson*

AusCycling Para-cycling Technical Director Warren McDonald said he was excited to see the return of the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships after a year absence.

“The entire Australian Cycling Team para-cycling unit has been enthusiastic from the get-go at returning to a normal international racing calendar this year,” McDonald said.

“All 12 members of the team are focused on hitting their goals and we are looking forward to seeing what they can achieve next month in France.”

Australian team for 2022 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships

Gordon Allan (C2) - Parklife CC
Darren Hicks (C2) - Norwood CC
David Nicholas (C3) - Bathurst CC
Michael Shippley (C5) - Balmoral CC
Alastair Donohoe (C5) - St Kilda CC
Amanda Reid (C2) - St George CC
Paige Greco (C3) - Port Adelaide CC
Emily Petricola (C4) - St Kilda CC
Meg Lemon (C4) - Port Adelaide CC
Jessica Gallagher (Tandem) - St Kilda CC
Caitlin Ward (Tandem pilot) - Blackburn CC
Erin Rowell (C5) - Geelong CC

About the 2022 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships

The UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships are the annual world championships for track para-cycling organised by the governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

When: October 20 – 23, 2022
Where: Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France
Velodrome: Vélodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines