Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly defend World Championship title 

TITLE RETAINED: Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly have successfully defended their World Championship title at the UCI Para-cycling World Championships in Ronse, Belgium. Pic: SW Pix

Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly have successfully defended their World Championship title at the UCI Para-cycling World Championships in Ronse, Belgium.

The duo retained their Time-Trial title on Friday with the pair taking on the Women's B Road Race this morning.

Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly have successfully defended their World Championship title at the UCI Para-cycling World Championships in Ronse, Belgium. Pic: SW Pix

Having battled more tough conditions and mechanical issues, the pair fought hard to catch the Polish pair of Kuter and Kolkowicz, pulling out a lead of 20 seconds on the last lap.

Dunlevy said afterwards: "It was a really hard race, probably actually the hardest race we've had, and it was definitely just about not giving up, believing in yourself and just believing in each other. We had a lot thrown at us with the slow puncture, the wheel change, the chain getting stuck. A lot of people had mechanicals though, it was pretty treacherous with the cobbles and the wet roads. 

"But honestly, to be three-time double-double World Champions is what we've been dreaming of and what we've been training for."

Kelly added: "Myself and Katie are fighters, we never drop heads no matter what. We're here to race and make the most of it, so we kept the heads. We hammered on, we never gave up. We got to the second hill, caught the Polish and time-trialed home."

Dunlevy continued: "We take confidence from the wins we've had of course but you never know what can happen on the day - you can never be complacent. Never complacent in training and never complacent in a race."

This marks Dunlevy and Kelly's third consecutive Road Race World Championship together, adding to their three TT titles.

Dunlevy has also previously won World Championship titles with pilot Eve McCrystal.

Damien Vereker and Mitchell McLaughlin were in action this morning in the Men's B Road Race, taking 21st. Richael Timothy and Cormac O'Callaghan are both in action in their respective road races this afternoon.