SHORTLY AFTER WINNING Paralympic silver in Rio, Ireland’s Colin Lynch will become the first para-cyclist to attempt to break the UCI Hour Record this weekend.
The 45-year-old will make his attempt on the velodrome at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester on Saturday.
It will, in fact, be Lynch’s second attempt (he got a puncture after 42 minutes back in 2015) but a change in UCI regulations in January now means this effort will be officially ratified.
“Since I began in para-cycling in 2008, the UCI Hour Record is something that I’ve had my eye on,” he said. “And after the disappointment of crashing out last year whilst making an attempt, it has been on the forefront of my mind to come back and try again.”
Lynch stormed to time trial silver in Rio earlier this month, putting to bed the heartbreak and anguish he suffered four years ago having missed out in London by the tiniest of margins.
“Coming off a successful Paralympic Games, winning silver in the time trial, getting this record would finish off a great year for me – and it is my hope that this attempt will spur on other para-cyclists to make similar attempts.”
As a teenager, Lynch, who was born in Singapore but has represented Ireland since 2010 through his father’s Drogheda roots, had his left leg amputated below the knee after suffering a foot injury which was complicated by a tumour on his spinal cord.
Lynch will need to beat the 41.031km achieved by Frenchman Laurent Thrionet in the C2 category back in 1999.
“I wish the best of luck to Colin for his attempt,” UCI President, Brian Cookson, said.
“The extension of our regulations to include para-cycling means we can now ratify attempts in this discipline. A new page is being written in the history of our legendary sport. I invite all fans to watch this historic attempt on Saturday and I hope that Colin’s performance will inspire other athletes, both men and women.”
Lynch’s attempt will be streamed live on YouTube from 3.30pm.
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The Sport Ireland statement is a strange one “he bore no significant fault or negligence”- While I’d doubt he intentionally took the substance it was most definitely negligent not to check with the team nutritionist if the substance was legal or not
Brendan O Sullivan got off lightly. Would the sports council have been so lenient if he was an athlete or cyclist.
No one forced O Sullivan to take the illegal supplement. It was the height of stupidly not to check with the team doctor.
As for Marc O Se to say he was unaware of O Sullivan’s use of an illegal supplement. Did he never ask where’s Brendan?
@Diarmuid: the banned substance was not in a supplement but in a sports drink, similar to Lucozade sport. That’s why he got off so lightly
Kimmage will be all over this like a rash. “Now hang on Joe! This is important!”
@Marks Awarded: he was on the same time as O Se and you’re correct. That’s exactly how it went
OSullivan had no idea what he took, it was in a drink. I believe that.
What I dont believe is Marc O’Se saying he had no idea, thats bullsh!t.
But fair play to the Kerry boys for closing ranks and keeping this quite. Best of luck to anyone who can beat these, that sort of loyalty and respect is hard to beat!!
Imagine if this was Diarmuid Connolly or another Dublin player.. Ud have fools tarnishing they’re All Ireland wins .. If its Kerry its ok just a mistake
Kerry didn’t win an AIl Ireland last year.