Cycling Ireland have confirmed the selection of four para-cyclists and two guides who will represent Ireland at the 2025 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, set to take place in Ronse, Belgium.
In 2025, the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships will once again be held as a standalone event, following two unique editions. In 2023, the Championships were part of the groundbreaking inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships, which brought together 13 UCI World Championship events across various cycling disciplines in Glasgow and throughout Scotland (UK) over an 11-day period. Then in 2024, they were staged alongside the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.
This year marks the first time the Flemish city of Ronse will host the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships. However, Ronse is well accustomed to welcoming top-level cyclists: the city frequently features on the route of major Spring Classics, including the iconic Ronde van Vlaanderen, as part of both the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour calendars.
Reigning World Champions Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly will attempt to defend their title on the tandem. The pair won both a Paralympic gold and a World Championship in what was a landmark year in 2024, in addition to a World Championship won in 2023. Dunlevy has previously won world titles with pilot Eve McCrystal, and transitioned seamlessly into her partnership with Kelly.
Damien Vereker and Mitchell McLaughlin will ride together again at this World Championships. The pair also rode in last year’s Paralympic Games in Paris.
The final Paris Paralympian making the trip to Belgium for this event is Richael Timothy, riding in the WC3 class.
Aspire Programme athlete Cormac O’Callaghan will return to World Championship action, having previously ridden in Scotland in 2023, and will ride the MC1 class.
Para-cycling Coach Jamie Blanchfield said: “We’re proud to announce a strong and focused team for the upcoming World Championships in Ronse, Belgium. With a blend of experienced riders and emerging talent, this group reflects the hard work and commitment across the programme during a year of refocusing and rebuilding following the Paris Paralympic Games. After some strong performances at recent World Cups, we’re excited to see this team build on that momentum and continue progressing on the world stage.”
The championships take place from August 28th-31st, and more information can be found here.
