ARA Australian Cycling Team selected for Para-cycling Track Worlds

25 Jan 2024 | 01:41 PMBy: Australian Cycling Team

Thirteen athletes will race for the ARA Australian Cycling Team at the 2024 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships.

The AusCycling National Selection Panel has today announced the squad that will represent Australia in Rio de Janeiro in March.

The team is headlined by Cyclist of the Year Amanda Reid, who heads to Brazil as defending champion in the women’s C2 500m time trial and omnium.

Alana Forster (C5) will contest her second world titles after winning the scratch race in Glasgow last year. She will be joined by Tokyo gold medallist Emily Petricola (C4), Glasgow bronze medallist Erin Rowell (C4), and the tandem pairing of Jessica Gallagher and Caitlin Ward, who won two silver medals in Glasgow.

Amanda Reid Australian para-cyclist — *Oppy winner Amanda Reid will be back on the track in Rio. (Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)*

On the men’s side, nine-time world champion Alistair Donohoe (C5) has been selected after missing last year’s event through injury.

Luke Zaccaria returns to the top level of para-cycling for the first time since piloting Beau Wootton to a Commonwealth Games medal at Birmingham 2022. He will ride the tandem with fellow West Australian Kane Perris, who makes his world championship debut.

For David Nicholas (C3), the event will mark a return to the Rio Olympic Velodrome where he won Paralympic gold in the individual pursuit eight years ago.

Gordon Allen (C2) and Michael Shippley (C4), both medallists in the 1km time trial last year, have also been selected.

Michael Shippley Australian para-cyclist — *Michael Shippley returns after winning silver in the 'kilo' last year. (Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix.com)*

Queensland’s Korey Boddington (C4) has earned his first world championship participation after winning four national titles at the recent AusCycling Para-cycling Track National Championships.

Darren Hicks, Meg Lemon and Paige Greco have chosen to miss the event to focus on preparing for the Paris Paralympic Games.