Irish Paracycling Team to Compete in World Championships in Baie-Comeau, Canada

This weekend Irish Paracyclists are set to compete in the first major Championship since the Paralympic Games. Baie-Comeau, in Canada, hosts the 2013 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships. Double Paralympic Champion and reigning World Champion Mark Rohan, and reigning World Champion Colin Lynch head up the Irish Team, which includes a mixture of new blood and experienced riders.

Westmeath handcyclist Rohan (32) will be first on the Road next Thursday, racing to defend his H1 Time Trial World Title. The double gold medallist from London 2012 will be a top contender for this title, but with strong riders like Mazzone (Italy) and Groulx (Belgium) appearing on the scene this season, this is guaranteed to be an exciting race.

Friday will see Colin Lynch and the Male and Female Tandems in action. Lynch, who races in the C2 Category, was the recent winner of the World Cup Series, with his Silver Medal in the final World Cup event in Canada, last weekend, helping to secure the overall title. Lynch's main competition is likely to come from USA's Aaron Keith, who has been powerful in recent World Cups.

Speaking after winning the World Cup Series Lynch said "This was one of my main targets for the year; I'm delighted with the win. This sets me up nicely for the World Championships next week."

Paralympic Bronze Medallists in the Time Trial, Catherine Walsh and Fran Meehan, will also compete on Friday. The experienced duo has been racing together for several years, with the race against the clock being their forte. Joining them on the startline of the Female B Tandem Time Trial will be Paralympian Katie-George Dunlevy and new partner Fiona Guihen. Despite last week's World Cup in Canada being Dunlevy and Guihen's first competition together, this pairing is promising, with them performing outstandingly to secure a World Cup Bronze Medal in the event.

Paralympic Bronze medallist in the Time Trial James Brown competes in the Time Trial with new partner Mark Bleakley. In last week's World Cup Brown and Bleakley impressed with their astounding performance in the Road Race, where they led for much of the race, before finishing in 5th place. They will be Ireland's sole starters in the Men's Tandem Time Trial, but will be joined by Peter Ryan and Damien Shaw on Sunday in the Road Race.

Speaking ahead of the event Paracycling Coach Neill Delahaye said "The World Cup was a very strong campaign for the entire squad, where they finished their final preparations for the World Championships."

Head Coach Brian Nugent said "It has been really exciting watching a blend of youth and experience putting in great performances race after race in the Final World Cup last weekend. The hard work is all done and the team are now ready to take on the worlds' best this weekend in Baie-Comeau."

Irelands racing begins next Thursday, and will continue until Sunday 1st September.