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Just weeks ago, Emily Petricola was wondering if she would make it to the 2024 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships.
The Tokyo Paralympics gold and silver medallist was injured in a shocking incident involving a car while out training in February, putting her behind schedule physically and affecting her confidence.
“It left me with a concussion for a few weeks, which meant my training was impacted, so I really was worried about how I would go here,” Petricola said.
Not that you would notice it after the 43-year-old dominated in Rio, winning the women’s C4 Individual Pursuit world championship for a fifth consecutive time, as well as taking out the C4 Omnium and silver in the C4 Scratch Race.
“The competition was really tough,” she said.
“It’s a really big travel to get here and because of that we had less time to adapt before competition started.
“There’s a lot of pressure on everyone this year as people are trying to put their hands up for Games selection across all countries so I knew they were going to come in in really good form.”
Australia finished fourth on the medal table with four gold medals, three silver and five bronze, behind the big three of China, Great Britain and France
AusCycling Para Technical Director Warren McDonald said: “This enables Australia to hold firm on valuable current Paris Paralympic qualification points that will finish in May.
“Reigning Tokyo champions Amanda Reid and Emily Petricola continued strong performances after both had injuries leading into this World Championship competition.
“Australia placed themselves back into Team Sprint podium contention after missing the podium last year, with a bronze behind China and GB and ahead of the powerhouse team from France.”
Reid, the reigning C2 500m Time Trial Paralympic champion, was Australia’s other outstanding performer, taking gold in her pet event and gold in the Scratch race. Petricola said the championships provided a good indicator ahead of the run-in to Paris 2024.
“I’m relieved to have been able to do what I needed to do, knowing where I am at and what is yet to come as we head towards Paris,” she said.
“We’ve got a fairly big build to come, so I can’t wait to get home and get stuck back into solid training ahead.”
McDonald added: “The Australian Para-Cycling Team sits in a strong position heading into the final two points-scoring opportunities with the Para Road Cycling World Cups in Belgium and Italy in May.
“Selection to the final Australian Paralympic Cycling Team will be very competitive for final slots in both the men’s and especially the women’s classes with current World Champions now both on the track and road.”
The Paris Paralympics track cycling events will be held in Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines Velodrome.
ARA Australian Cycling Team medals at Rio 2024
Gold
Amanda Reid – Women C2 500m Time Trial
Amanda Reid – Women C2 Scratch Race
Emily Petricola – Women C4 Individual Pursuit
Emily Petricola – Women C4 Omnium
Silver
Emily Petricola – Women C4 Scratch Race
Gordon Allan – Men C2 1000m Time Trial
Korey Boddington – Men C4 1000m Time Trial
Bronze
Jessica Gallagher and Caitlin Ward – Women B 1000m Time Trial
Jessica Gallagher and Caitlin Ward – Women B Sprint
Michael Shippley – Men C4 1000m Time Trial
Alistair Donohoe – Men C5 Scratch Race
Gordon Allan, Michael Shippley and Korey Boddington – Mixed C Team Sprint
By Natalie McGarry
Published: 28 March 2024
