Special Olympics Great Britain cyclists Luke Mahoney and Niall Guite recently competed in the UCI Masters Cyclo-Cross World Championships alongside fellow Special Olympics athletes from the USA, the Netherlands and Belgium. 

With more than 600 cyclists from more than 20 countries taking part across the two days of competition, Luke – 16 from Barnstaple and the Special Olympics North Devon programme – took the Gold Medal in the Special Olympics World Championship race.

Commenting on his performance, Luke said: “It felt really good to take part in the Special Olympics Cyclo-Cross World Championships at the World Masters in Ipswich again this year. I won last year and I was really excited to go back. 

“This year the course was longer and we got to ride through the sand pit. I was really happy to win and get a Rainbow Jersey. I would like for there to be more Special Olympic Cyclo-Cross events in the future.”

Competing in a field of seven athletes, both Luke and Niall, from Special Olympics Sheffield, tackled the challenging off-road course at Trinity Park Showground in Ipswich, which included grass,  sand and plenty of mud.

Luke’s Mum Julie Mahoney said: “Luke has been racing regional Cyclo-Cross for a number of years and it has been brilliant that the UCI and World Masters organisers have hosted a Special Olympics Cyclocross World Championships for the last two years in Ipswich. 

“It’s fantastic to see the riders from all over the world come together to compete and the support they get riding around from spectators and volunteers is amazing. Cyclocross is so inclusive and accessible and I really hope for the future that Special Olympics and British Cycling can support more events like it and encourage a lot more athletes to get involved. We are all very proud of Luke on becoming Special Olympics Junior Cyclo-Cross Champion.”

Adi Fawcett, Head of Sport at Special Olympics GB, said: “We’re grateful to the UCI and British Cycling for partnering with Special Olympics Europe Eurasia and ourselves to host this race and to make the Masters Cyclo-Cross World Championships so inclusive.

“Getting the opportunity to compete on the world stage is an incredible experience for our athletes and it’s something that we’re very keen to explore with more governing bodies moving forwards.

“Huge congratulations to Luke for winning the race for the second consecutive year.”