CHAMPION: Nicole Murray picked up two world championship wins at the Para-Cycling World Championships in France last week. Photo Paralympic New Zealand
IT has been a year to remember for para-cyclist Nicole Murray. The 30-year-old Waikato rider has had a whirlwind 18 months on the bike after spending a few years in Waitomo being a guide at the glowworm caves. Her love for cycling saw her move on from the role and she hasn’t looked back. Last year she attended the Olympics in Tokyo and performed admirably, while this year she has progressed even further dominating many of her events in 2022. At the Para-Cycling UCI World Championships in France, Murray bagged two golds and a bronze for her efforts. She picked up victories in the omnium, scratch race and placed third in the individual pursuit. “Yeah that was the first scratch race I have placed well anywhere to be honest. It’s so exciting. “It was a race I can be proud of. There were a couple of tactics we spoke about in regard to moves some of the other competitors might make, so I had those in the back of my mind and making the decision whether to chase anyone down.” Murray said her tactical abilities had improved in the past year and they made a big difference in France. “My awareness out there was really good this race I was looking around a lot. All the practice back in Cambridge practicing that really paid off.” The omnium and scratch race victories did come as a surprise but are well earned and compliment her run of medals from earlier in the year. “Everything felt really good. The best races I have ever had are the races where I’ve worked with someone else and got a result, I am proud of and that’s exactly what transpired.” She became a double world champion with her omnium victory as it is a combination of points gained from placings in the flying 200m, the 500m time trial, the individual pursuit and the scratch race. Murray explains that the Scratch Race was her highlight. “The highlight was the scratch race. Being able to keep my head in the race. Being fit enough to be able to make clear decisions without just trying to work hard to stay on the wheels. It was really cool. Winning the scratch race – and actually the omnium – was a complete surprise for me.” Murray isn’t resting on her laurels though – she has gained new motivation in her preparation for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “This week has given me a fire to train harder when I get home, just a lot of motivation to work hard in the things I could have done better this competition.” Donning the rainbow jersey for the first time was a proud moment for Murray, who is a left-hand amputee following a childhood accident and has ‘never had a worthwhile placing’ in a scratch race before. She said that working with one of her role models contributed to the win. “Crystal Lane-Wright (UK) and I stayed away from the bunch. We worked together really well. She’s someone I’ve always looked up to. To be able to do some race-winning moves with her is pretty incredible.” It was a fitting way for Murray to end the season, her most successful since she started racing competitively.
