Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly Successfully Defend World Championship Title

Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly have successfully defended their World Championship title at the UCI Para-cycling World Championships in Ronse, Belgium.


The Irish pairing finished in 30:04.68, beating second place GB tandem pair by 30 seconds, battling tough winds throughout.

Dunlevy and Kelly won Gold at last year's Paralympic Games in Paris, as well as double gold in last year's World Championships - taking top spot in the Road Race and Time Trial.

This is Dunlevy's sixth TT World Championship, and third with pilot Linda Kelly.

The pair will now look to defend their Road Race title on Sunday, with racing getting underway at 8.35am CET.

Damien Vereker and Mitchell McLaughlin were also in action this morning, finishing 5th in the TT. Richael Timothy and Cormac O'Callaghan both get their World Championships underway later today.

Irish riders to tackle Para-Road Cycling World Championships

A team of six riders will represent Ireland this week at the UCI Para-cycling World Championships in Belgium.

Linda Kelly, left, and Katie-George Dunlevy celebrate their win in the WB TT event at the 2024 UCI Para-cycling World Championships. Credit: SW Pix

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 double 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.

Dunlevy and Kelly will compete in the Women’s B TT on Friday, with the class setting off at 11.23am CET , and the road race on Sunday at 8.35am CET.

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.

Vereker and McLaughlin will race the TT at 8.30am CET on Friday morning, before also riding the road race at 8.30am CET on Sunday morning.

The final Paris Paralympian making the trip to Belgium for this event is Richael Timothy, riding in the WC3 class.

Timothy will ride the TT at 3.18pm CET on Friday, and the road race at 11.05am CET on Sunday.

Cormac O’Callaghan will return to World Championship action, having previously ridden in Scotland in 2023, and will ride the MC1 class.

The MC1 class TT gets underway at 2.44pm CET on Friday, followed by the road race at 5.40pm CET on Sunday.


For more information on the event, including schedules - click here