Apeldoorn 2019: 4 takeaways

The 2019 Para Cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, were filled with superb performances. Check out some of them.

Greco in record-breaking mode

The 22-year-old Australian was in stunning form as she broke three world records over two days.

Paige Greco won the women’s 3km individual pursuit in world record time before going on to set world records also in the women’s 500m time trial C3 and 200m flying sprint C3.

She is most certainly a cyclist to keep an eye on as she gets ready for her first Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in 2020.

Royal support

Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was in the stands cheering for Caroline Groot as the Dutchwoman crossed the finish line first in the women’s 500m time trial C5 to beat Paralympic legend Sarah Storey.

"Becoming a world champion for the second time is of course very beautiful. Now, with my family and the attention of the Princess and all the press present, it is actually much more beautiful than in Rio (2018 Worlds),” Groot said.

British domination

Paralympic champions helped Team GB finish top of the medals table with 10 golds.

Great Britain’s most decorated Paralympian Storey won the women’s 3km individual pursuit and scratch C5. She said: “It feels really good to be back in the competition. I’ve raced great times both in the pursuit qualifiers and in the finals, and I’ve felt even better in the scratch.”

Rio 2016 gold medallist Sophie Thornhill, alongside pilot Helen Scott, was the fastest in the women’s 1km time trial and sprint tandem.

The other British winners were James Ball (men’s 1km time trial tandem), Neil Fachie (men’s sprint tandem), Jody Cundy (men’s 1km time trial C4), Katie Toft (women’s individual pursuit and scratch C1) and Kadeena Cox (women’s 500m time trial C4).

Colombia on the rise

After claiming two golds, two silvers and three bronze in Apeldoorn, Colombia have proven to be one of the new powerhouses in the sport.

Alejandro Perea Arango left as the most decorated cyclist from his country. The 21-year-old took gold in the men’s 1km time trial C2, as well as one silver and one bronze.

Rio 2016 bronze medallist Diego Duenas was the other standout Colombian athlete as he stormed to gold in the men’s scratch C4.

“It was a very hard race with many good athletes in the final. Winning this gold medal for Colombia is great, as well as wearing the Rainbow Jersey,” he said.