World Championships
As the Paralympic Games came to a close, my season wasn’t over yet—the World Championships were just around the corner, taking place barely a week after Paris. The short turnaround made for a hectic schedule, so I decided to head back to the U.S. for five days between the two events. That break gave me some much-needed sleep and time to reset. Although I wasn’t initially thrilled about flying back to Europe so soon, I’m really glad I did. The moment I arrived in Zurich, I was blown away by the stunning city and the incredible riding the area had to offer.
Two days before the competition, the team went to preview the time trial course, and it was far from what I had expected. Unlike the usual flat, straightforward time trial courses, this one was highly technical. It featured multiple climbs, tight twists, and steep descents where confidence—and precision—were crucial. With only one practice run, I felt I could’ve pushed faster if I’d been more familiar with the terrain. Fortunately, Kyle and I managed to get in a second run the following day, which helped, but I still wished for more time—especially to get a better feel for the tricky descents.
On race day, I found it tough to get into the right headspace; knowing the descents would be crucial to getting a good time. Once the race started, though, I settled in and felt pretty decent. I navigated the first descent smoothly and kept my mistakes to a minimum. Midway through, the rain began to fall, and I couldn’t help but worry about how the wet roads might affect the ride. Thankfully, I finished the race without any incidents and ended up in 5th place. Given how tough the course was, I was content with the result, though I knew there were areas I could improve on.
The road race, however, suited me much better. With its challenging climbs and a long, winding descent, it quickly became one of my favorite circuits ever. The race took place during heavy rain, which changed the dynamics, making the course more unpredictable. On the first climb, three other riders and I broke away from the peloton, but we were caught on the second lap after failing to work efficiently as a group. From there, the race was packed with attacks and bursts of adrenaline. In the end, it came down to a reduced group sprint, and I finished second—just inches from the win. Although losing by a photo finish was tough, I’m proud of my effort and the way I raced.
Looking back, I’m really glad I competed in the Zurich World Championships. I walked away with valuable lessons I can apply to future races, and on top of that, I got to experience another beautiful city. The memories and growth from this event will stay with me as I continue to push forward in my cycling career.
