Dunlevy and Kelly strike gold again at Worlds

Katie-George Dunlevy and pilot Linda Kelly have claimed a gold medal for Ireland at the UCI Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Zurich.

As reigning world champions, they were last to go out of the 12 bikes in the women's B individual time trial.

They finished in a time of 43 minutes 14.47 seconds to top the medal rostrum.

Today’s win is not only the second consecutive world championship title for Dunlevy and Kelly, but also adds to the gold medal they won in the same event at the Paralympic Games earlier this month.

The podium remained unchanged from that of just a few weeks ago at the Paralympics.

Sophie Unwin, piloted by Jenny Holl, secured silver and Lora Fachie, piloted by Corrine Hall, earned bronze, both for Great Britain.

Also competing in the event and just failing to medal were Josephine Healion, piloted by Eve McCrystal.

Healion and McCrystal finished in fourth place in a time of 46:24.03.

Healion, who continues to go from strength to strength, went one better than her Paralympic result showing she is an Irish rider to watch going forward.

McCrystal will retire from elite level competition following these championships.

The 29.9km route proved testing, but Dunlevy and Kelly finished over one minute ahead of Unwin and Holl. Only half a minute separated the two British bikes in second and third.

Both Dunlevy and Kelly, and Healion and McCrystal, will race again on Wednesday in the Women’s B road race.

The 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling World Championships will continue until next Sunday, with 24 Irish riders competing throughout.