Fourteen para cyclists and three pilots will represent the ARA Australian Cycling Team at the 2026 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
The squad will travel to Omnisport Apeldoorn and race for rainbow jerseys from October 29 to November 1.
The 17-strong team is the largest ARA Australian Cycling Team selected for the UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships since 2016.
That follows on from the record-breaking feats of the 2025 team that brought home 16 world championships, 25 medals, six world records, rainbow jerseys in both team sprint events and the number one nation ranking from Rio de Janeiro.
Returning from that star-studded team are Gordon Allan, Korey Boddington, Kane Perris and Luke Zaccaria (pilot), Michael Shippley, Tahlia Clayton-Goodie, Jessica Gallagher and Jacqui Mengler-Mohr (pilot), Tara Neyland, Emily Petricola and Erin Rowell. (October 8 update: Erin Rowell will now miss Apeldoorn. + October 26 update: Jessica Gallagher, Jacqui Mengler-Mohr and Emily Petricola will now also miss Apeldoorn.)
Joining them in the Netherlands will be six familiar faces: Amanda Reid, Caitlin Ward, Alistair Donohoe, Darren Hicks, with Beau Wootton and his pilot Byron Davies rounding out the squad. (October 26 update: Amanda Reid will now miss Apeldoorn.)
AusCycling Head Coach of Para Cycling Sheila Galloway said it’s an incredibly exciting team and a powerful reflection of the heights Australian para cycling has reached.
“Australian para cycling has never carried more momentum into a World Championships,” she added.
“This isn't just our largest Para Cycling Track World Championships team in a decade – it's one of the strongest Australian para cycling teams ever assembled.
“The squad includes nine reigning world champions, three Paralympic champions and eight world record holders.
“We head to Apeldoorn not only as defending world champions, but as the world's top-ranked nation and a team determined to show our best is still ahead of us.
“What excites me most is the hunger within this group. Despite everything they've achieved, they're still driven to improve, push the limits of performance and continue raising the bar for para cycling.
“That's the mindset that helped deliver a history-making 2025 campaign and it's the mindset we'll take into Apeldoorn.
“We're incredibly proud to represent Australia on the world stage. We hope these athletes inspire Australians to follow their journey and discover the power of para cycling.
“This team is proof that with talent, opportunity and belief, extraordinary things are possible.”
The AusCycling National Selection Panel has selected this squad ahead of the UCI releasing nation quota allocations, which are expected to be distributed in September. As a result, this squad is subject to change upon their release.
Update: Squad changes as of October 26
Three further squad changes have been confirmed since Erin Rowell's withdrawal on October 8.
Tandem duo Jacqui Mengler-Mohr and Jess Gallagher, Emily Petricola (C3) and Amanda Reid (C2) will unfortunately not compete at the 2026 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships this week.
Mengler-Mohr sustained an injury after a crash at the Commonwealth Games. Since then, she has undergone further medical assessment and that advice has not cleared her to travel or compete. This means that the women’s tandem will not compete in the Netherlands, nor will Australia defend its tandem team sprint world championship.
Petricola has withdrawn due to illness.
Reid has withdrawn due to medical reasons.
Para Cycling Head Coach Sheila Galloway said the team's ambitions remain high.
"Naturally, we're disappointed for the athletes who won't be with us. Each of these athletes, including Erin Rowell, have worked incredibly hard to earn their place on this team, and we recognise how disappointing it is for them to miss the opportunity to represent Australia and, for many, defend their rainbow jerseys," she said.
"While the team composition has changed significantly in recent weeks, our belief in the athletes who will line up in Apeldoorn hasn't. We selected a squad with genuine medal potential across every rider and bike, and that speaks to the extraordinary depth and strength of Australian para cycling.
"Our focus is on delivering performances we can be proud of, executing under pressure and giving every athlete the opportunity to produce their very best when it matters most."
ARA Australian Cycling Team - 2026 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships
Men
- Gordon Allan – C2 (Parklife CC/NSW)
- Korey Boddington – C4 (University of Queensland CC/QLD)
- Alistair Donohoe – C5 (Blackburn CC/VIC)
- Darren Hicks – C2 (Norwood CC/SA)
- Kane Perris (Track Cycling WA/WA) and Luke Zaccaria (Track Cycling WA/WA) [pilot] – B
- Michael Shippley – C4 (Balmoral CC/QLD)
- Maxwell Sudholz – C3 (Vikings CC/ACT) [October 8 update: Sudholz added to squad]
- Beau Wootton (Port Adelaide CC/SA) and Byron Davies (Balmoral CC/QLD) [pilot] – B
Women
- Tahlia Clayton-Goodie – C1 (Geelong and Surf Coast CC/VIC)
Jessica Gallagher (St Kilda CC/VIC) and Jacqui Mengler-Mohr (Balmoral CC/QLD) [pilot] – B[October 26 update: Jessica Gallagher and Jacqui Mengler-Mohr will now miss Apeldoorn]- Tara Neyland – C4 (Brunswick CC/VIC)
Emily Petricola – C3 (St Kilda CC/VIC)[October 26 update: Emily Petricola will now miss Apeldoorn]Amanda Reid – C2 (Port Adelaide CC/SA)[October 26 update: Amanda Reid will now miss Apeldoorn]Erin Rowell – C4 (Geelong CC/VIC)[October 8 update: Erin Rowell will now miss Apeldoorn]- Caitlin Ward – C5 (Blackburn CC/VIC)
Feature picture: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com