Drumkeen cyclist Mitchell McLaughlin sets national record at the Paralympics

Drumkeen cyclist Mitchell McLaughlin, partnered with Kilkenny’s Damien Vereker achieved a personal best and set a new national record the Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit in Para Cycling in Paris. 

The determined Irish duo clocked a time of 4:14.817 in heat 6, and despite putting in an impressive performance, they placed seventh in the heats, falling short of qualifying for the medal race. 

They were eventually overtaken by the French team of Alexandre Lloveras and Yoann Paillot, who led the standings. 

The final is scheduled for 16:04 at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome. 

“To be honest I’m just over the moon, I never expected that time to be honest. When you say you might get a three-second PB but to get a six-second PB,” Vereker said after the race. 

“We got the perfect momentum from the start, just kept it going all the way around and tried not to overcook it but it’s always hard with the 4km Pursuit that you don’t go too hard at the start.” 

McLaughlin and Vereker are set to compete in the 1000m time trial on Day 4, the individual time trial on Day 7, and the road race on Day 9. 

“The Time Trial now is what I’m really looking forward to, really fast, technical, everything you want, hills, it’s going to be a good test. The road race is another story. I’m looking forward to the road race, I’m mentally prepared to suffer for it and am ready to go,” Vereker said. 

This marks McLaughlin’s debut at the Paralympic Games, while Vereker previously represented Ireland at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, finishing eighth. 

As the tandem pilot, McLaughlin (26) rides at the front, steering the bike and providing crucial visual cues to Vereker (44), who rides behind.