First Handcycling Gold Medal for Ireland

A four strong Irish Handcycling Team over came the 38 degree temperatures and jet lag to secure Ireland’s first ever handcycling medal when H1 rider Mark Rohan from Athlone, won the bunch sprint to take Gold at yesterday evening’s Road Race in Al Ain in the UAE. In the morning time trial Mark was just outside the medals when he finished in fourth place. As this was also a P1 UCI Race Mark secured a combined 3rd place in General Classification to secure valuable UCI World Ranking Points.

In the H2 category Irish Squad new-comers David Kerr and Darrel Irwin put in good performances to secure 23rd and 27th respectively in the Time Trial and 22nd and 23rd respectively in the Road Race.

Karl Doherty was just outside the top 10 when he finished 13th in the H3 Time Trial and 12th in the Road Race. He was looking good earlier in the road race when he broke away to chase two riders that were away but the bunch chased him down and he was unable to respond to the next attack. Still it was good to see such a gutsy performance in what is only his 3rd international race.

The four lads also took part in this morning’s optional 14km Hill Climb Competition which they all successfully completed in the scorching temperatures that topped the 40 degree mark at times. A little different than the temperatures we left behind in Ireland last Thursday.

The event was the first on the European Handcycling Circuit for 2010 and was promoted by the Al Ain Club for the Disabled and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Also on the Paracycling Programme for 2010 will be Road World Cups in France, Spain and Canada, Road World Championships in Canada and Track World Championships at a venue yet to be announced. Points accumulated during 2010 could help Ireland secure one Male and one Female slot for London at 31st December provided we finish in the Top 40 nations for men and Top 25 nations for Females said Paracycling Manager Denis Toomey, the handcyclist’s performances this weekend augers well but all the squad will need to produce the goods during the year to guarantee these slots so hopefully we will secure sufficient funding to complete our planned programme.

He thanked his support staff of coach Beverly Chamberlain and Mechanic Gerry Beggs for their great work in helping Mark win his Gold Medal.