Mitchell McLaughlin sets new Irish record at Para Track Worlds

Drumkeen cyclist Mitchell McLaughlin helped set a new Irish national record at the UCI Para Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.

McLaughlin, acting as pilot for visually‑impaired rider Ciaran O’Toole, posted a time of 4:13.386 over 16 laps in the MB pursuit on Thursday, securing seventh place.

The pair returned the following day to compete in the MB 1km time trial, finishing 23rd.

Earlier in the year, McLaughlin piloted Damien Vereker at the European Championships, achieving eighth in the time trial and ninth in the road race. The duo also placed eighth in the time trial and ninth in the road race at the UCI Para‑Cycling Road World Championships in Alabama, finishing just 45 seconds behind Spanish world champions Imanol Arriortua Zorrilla and Mikel Aristi Gardoki.

McLaughlin joined the Irish para‑cycling national team in 2023 and rode alongside Vereker at the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: YL Lew / Pexels.