WAIS Hand-cyclist Selected for Road World Champs

Cycling Australia has announced the Australian team that will contest the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland, 29 July – 2 August 2015.

Highlighting the announcement from a West Australian perspective is 2012 Paralympian Nigel Barley, who will compete in the men’s hand cycling time trial and road race.

Reigning road world champions Carol Cooke (VIC) and Alistair Donohoe (VIC), plus 2012 Paralympic road race gold medallist and 2013 world champion David Nicholas (QLD) headline a superb 13-member team.

2013 world champion Michael Gallagher (VIC) and four-time Road World Championship medallistSue Powell (ACT) will line up, as will dual 2014 Road World Championship bronze medallist Bianca Woolford (SA).

Barley who also claimed a medal at the 2013 Road World Championships will be joined by fellow Paralympians Stuart Tripp (VIC), Alex Green (NSW) and Simone Kennedy (NSW) in the hand cycling class.

The team will also feature three debutants in Kyle Bridgwood (QLD), Emilie Miller (NSW) and Grant Nickel (NSW).

Team Australia finished with eight medals – including for world titles – at the 2014 UCI Para Road World Championships held in Canada.

The 2015 Championships provide valuable qualification points for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

A number of team members will contest the New Zealand Para-Cycling Open (UCI Cat 1) this weekend (May 2-3), before two months of domestic based preparation ahead of their departure for the World Championships in mid-July.

-CyclingAus