Canada’s Marie-Claude Molnar wins gold at Para cycling road world championships

CASCAIS, Portugal – Two-time Paralympian Marie-Claude Molnar of Longueuil, Que. won the gold medal in the women’s C4 individual time trial on Thursday to open Canada’s campaign at the 2021 Para Cycling Road World Championships. 

Molnar completed the 25.2-kilometre race in 41 minutes and 49.47 seconds for her first career victory at the road worlds. Katell Alencon of France took the silver at 43:56.24 and Elena Galkina of Russia was third at 44:25.40.

“This morning I made a dream came true!” Molnar wrote on Facebook. ‘’This performance is the result of about 10 years of work, sacrifices, and ambition.”
 

“The race was great. It was tricky because of the wind but overall, I felt great the entire race.”

Big congrats to @mariecmolnar on the jersey at #ParaRoadWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/SoV6Zbx2Qd

— Cycling Canada (@CyclingCanada) June 10, 2021

In the visually impaired time trials, Carla Shibley and her pilot Meghan Brown of Calgary were eighth while for the men, Lowell Taylor of Lethbridge, Alta., and his pilot Ed Veal of Toronto were 10th. 

In 2005 at age 22, Molnar was seriously injured when she was hit by a car while riding her bike. After rehabilitation she ventured into the world of Para cycling. In 2012, the Tokyo 2020 Games hopeful became a World Cup champion and won a bronze medal at the London Paralympic Games. She also took gold in the scratch race at the 2017 track world championships. 

A team of 11 Canadian athletes are competing in Portugal this week. Racing at the world championships will continue Friday with the time trials for the hand cyclists and tricyclists.