With nothing left to prove, is it the end of a cycle for Dunlevy?

Katie-George Dunlevy and pilot Linda Kelly are back on their tandem bike at Clichy-sous-bois, bidding to add road race gold to the time trial gold

Katie-George Dunlevy and pilot Linda Kelly of Ireland celebrate at the end of their run in the women's B individual time trial on day seven of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at Clichy-sous-bois in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

One last cycle before retirement, or one last cycle before the focus is switched again and the long road to LA begins?

The above question will be put to Katie-George Dunlevy sometime around 4pm today. And such has been her openness at these Games, it is a question she is unlikely to shirk or bat away.

Dunlevy and pilot Linda Kelly are back on their tandem bike at Clichy-sous-bois, bidding to add road race gold to the time trial gold secured on Wednesday. Piloting the second Irish bike in the field will be Eve McCrystal, the 46-year-old and long-time tandem partner of Katie-George headed for retirement once she crosses the finish line in the Paris suburb.

Dunlevy, on the road into Paris, was far less open than McCrystal about her post-Paris plans. She’s 42, has been to four Paralympics, and won seven medals along the way, including four gold. The ability is absolutely there to stay pedaling, anyone at Clichy-sous-bois on Wednesday or the velodrome on Sunday can attest to that, but is the want and desire?

There is literally nothing left to prove. She defended her Paralympic crown, and then came back and defended it again.

The way Dunlevy spoke after winning her third successive time trial gold two days ago hinted that today’s road race is her swansong, her final outing in green after switching allegiances from Team GB in 2011.

Against that, however, there’s a feeling within the high-performance set-up that she’ll continue on for another four years.

If today is her swansong, there’s a very strong chance it’ll be a golden one. Dunlevy won this event in Tokyo and at the subsequent two World Championships. And of those who feel they can challenge her, particularly the British pair of Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl, how much will their belief have been dented by the Irish margin of victory in the road time trial. Put simply, Dunlevy and New Ross native Kelly obliterated the field.

“It is my favourite race of all the races. Can't wait. Love it,” said Dunlevy of today's road race. “We have got no pressure going into it, so we are just going to enjoy it.” 

Although the road race represents their fourth event of these Games, there is absolutely no fear of the exertions of the past week impinging on their endeavours when the flag drops at lunchtime.

“We just train so hard, we are used to it,” Dunlevy added. “We are putting in 25 hours per week training, six days a week. So when it comes to the races, we are tapered for this. We will recover and do an easy session on Thursday and will be fine for Friday.” 

After an incredibly slow first five days on the medal front, there’s been a sharp increase in pace and frequency of Irish athletes climbing the podium. The pre-Games target of eight to 10 medals is within reach, but it’ll require a second medal on the road today to get up close to the lower end of the predicted haul.

That second medal could come from McCrystal and Josephine Healion, who were fourth at the 2023 World Championships. Ronan Grimes has a fair shout in the C4-5 road race. The 35-year-old with club foot has medaled on the road at the last two Worlds, but both were in the C4 class, whereas for the Paralympics, C4 and C5 cyclists compete together.

“I feel fit, strong, and I was pushing good numbers during the time trial. Friday will be different, it will be more tactical and tough, you can hide a bit more and play off other people. I won’t be a marked man on Friday,” said Grimes.

Dunlevy has been a marked woman for almost a decade now. But for how much longer?