Eve McCrystal has praised her “tough cookie” teammate Katie George Dunlevy after the pair managed to clinch a silver medal in the time trial and a fourth place finish in the road race at the UCI Para Cycling World Cup over the weekend, despite Dunlevy picking up a nasty injury.
The duo, who have previously won countless medals at the Paralympic Games, usually still compete together on the track, but not the road. Given the recent circumstances that saw Linda Kelly become injured at a competition in Belgium just two weeks ago however, they found themselves reunited in action there together once again.
In doing so, they demonstrated exactly why they are one of the best teams in the world, putting others through their paces across the 18.8 km in the time trial and the 78 km road race in Maniago.
In the time trial on Friday, they clocked a time of 23:58, finishing second only to Great Britain, who crossed the line just 13 seconds prior.
In the road race on Sunday however, the two came agonisingly close to a podium place, narrowly missing out to Poland’s Otylia Marczuk and Ewa Bankowska in third place by just 1 minute and 33 seconds, clocking a time of 1:57:23.
Great Britain filled the first two slots, with Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl hauling a time of 1:52:14 to claim first place, and Lora Fachie and Corrine Hall collecting a 1:55:47 for second. Poland then passed in a time of 1:55:50.
Considering they suffered a fall with just two laps to go in the road race due to a punctured front wheel, a place on the podium in the time trial, as well as the valuable qualification points on offer in the other, will be cherished assets.
With that said though, the pair, as well as the wider Irish team, will hope that is the last unfortunate stroke of luck they experience for a while.
“Let's hope all our bad luck is done now,” McCrystal says, taking to Instagram to explain her thoughts on the situation.
“This was not the plan. I stepped away from Katie's bike 2 years ago as I couldn't give 110% commitment to a potential Gold Bike for the Paris Paralympic Games. We ride together on the track but not on the Road,” she describes.
“In Belgium two weeks ago Katie and Linda had a nasty spill. Katie came out the better and was cleared to ride in Italy for the last Road World Cup. The Irish Team have 3 female bikes and we need as many points to qualify all 3 bikes for the games. Myself and Josie punctured the same day the girls crashed so with both Female Tandems DNF we were under pressure for points.
“Myself and Katie were put back together for Italy. P2 in the TT...happy days form looks good and I was ready to empty myself to win that road race. I love a good road race. We attacked 3 laps in on a 10 lap 8k circuit. The British bike came across and that was it we were away. 2 laps to go we punctured left turn the front wheel went and we were down. I knew Katie was hurt but after a quick head check, we got back up. Thanks to the British mechanic, we got a wheel.”
McCrystal then goes on to detail how they “were caught” with one lap to go, and how Dunlevy powered on despite being in “excruciating pain.”
“I knew the collarbone was gone by the way she was screaming. I have no idea how she did it but we got to the finish line over cobbles and finished in P4,” she says.
“I have never witnessed anything like it in my life. She is one tough cookie the fight that was in her was something I've never seen. She trusted me to get her home. I knew I'd get her home. We were doing it for our entire team to finish that race. “
She also further outlines the strength of her teammate, applauding her ability to act like a champion both on and off the track.
“Bike riders are tough. Katie is next level hats off to her.This is why she is a double Paralympic Champion Multiple World Champion. She will get back to full health. I'm sure by the weekend she will be back on the turbo resting her arm on the ironing board and working towards our shared goal,” she says.
“We have had bad luck lately but I've no doubt our luck will turn. On the way home now to my girls for a few days off and get ready to go again.”
“I'm ready,” she concludes.
