DAMIEN VEREKER AND Mitchell McLaughlin have sealed a seventh-placed finish for Ireland in the Men’s B Individual Time Trial at the Paralympic Games, while Ronan Grimes came in eighth in the Men’s C4 road event.
Vereker, piloted by McLaughlin, clocked a time of 36.31.09 over the 28.3km distance in Paris, with Tristan Bangma and Patrick Bos of the Netherlands claiming gold in 34:11:02.
McLaughlin’s supporters from Donegal were especially conspicuous in Clichy-sous-Bois as he and Vereker produced a solid performance to place seventh of 11 bikes.
Mitchell McLaughlin and Damien Vereker recover after the race. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
“It was really hot,” Vereker said after the race. “We didn’t want to give everything on the first hill we wanted to reserve something for the second lap.”
McLaughlin added: “The road race on Friday is our main event so it was good to get out today and get a look at the course.”
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In the Men’s C4 Individual Time Trial, Ronan Grimes completed his ride in 39:01.83 to finish eighth.
Galway native Grimes was just over two minutes behind France’s gold medallist Kevin le Cunff (36:46:49).
“During the ride I thought this could be on for a good result and I’m after seeing the result and you’re not at the races really,” said Grimes.
“I don’t know why. I was pushing hard but lads were obviously pushing harder. I’m disappointed with the result but it’s not like I could have done anything to have gotten in a better position.
“I’m moving well and was full of confidence coming in here and that’s given me a bit of a dint but listen, we’ll forget about that and move on to Friday,” he added.
“It will be different, it will be more tactical and tough, you can hide a bit more and play off other people… I won’t be a marked man on Friday.”
Ronan Grimes of Ireland in action during the Men's C4 Individual Time Trial. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
Earlier this morning, Richael Timothy finished 12th in the women’s C1-3 individual time trial.
The cyclist from Ballymoe on the Galway-Roscommon border crossed the 5.8km marker in 13th place. A stronger second half of the 14.1km course saw the 29-year-old finish in 24:32.40, 12th overall.
“It’s a tough course, it’s technical enough,” Timothy said. “There are two drags in the course and then some uphill.
“I caught the two people in front of me, they are in different categories than me so it was hard to know where you were. Road race is my main event so I was just happy to get out there.”
Maike Hausberger from Germany won gold in 21:30.45 with Team GB’s Frances Brown taking silver +15.73 behind. Anna Beck of Sweden won the bronze medal, +24.26 back.
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Vereker and McLaughlin finish 7th, Ronan Grimes 8th in respective time trials
LAST UPDATE | 4 Sep
DAMIEN VEREKER AND Mitchell McLaughlin have sealed a seventh-placed finish for Ireland in the Men’s B Individual Time Trial at the Paralympic Games, while Ronan Grimes came in eighth in the Men’s C4 road event.
Vereker, piloted by McLaughlin, clocked a time of 36.31.09 over the 28.3km distance in Paris, with Tristan Bangma and Patrick Bos of the Netherlands claiming gold in 34:11:02.
McLaughlin’s supporters from Donegal were especially conspicuous in Clichy-sous-Bois as he and Vereker produced a solid performance to place seventh of 11 bikes.
“It was really hot,” Vereker said after the race. “We didn’t want to give everything on the first hill we wanted to reserve something for the second lap.”
McLaughlin added: “The road race on Friday is our main event so it was good to get out today and get a look at the course.”
In the Men’s C4 Individual Time Trial, Ronan Grimes completed his ride in 39:01.83 to finish eighth.
Galway native Grimes was just over two minutes behind France’s gold medallist Kevin le Cunff (36:46:49).
“During the ride I thought this could be on for a good result and I’m after seeing the result and you’re not at the races really,” said Grimes.
“I’m moving well and was full of confidence coming in here and that’s given me a bit of a dint but listen, we’ll forget about that and move on to Friday,” he added.
“It will be different, it will be more tactical and tough, you can hide a bit more and play off other people… I won’t be a marked man on Friday.”
Earlier this morning, Richael Timothy finished 12th in the women’s C1-3 individual time trial.
The cyclist from Ballymoe on the Galway-Roscommon border crossed the 5.8km marker in 13th place. A stronger second half of the 14.1km course saw the 29-year-old finish in 24:32.40, 12th overall.
“It’s a tough course, it’s technical enough,” Timothy said. “There are two drags in the course and then some uphill.
“I caught the two people in front of me, they are in different categories than me so it was hard to know where you were. Road race is my main event so I was just happy to get out there.”
Maike Hausberger from Germany won gold in 21:30.45 with Team GB’s Frances Brown taking silver +15.73 behind. Anna Beck of Sweden won the bronze medal, +24.26 back.
- Additional reporting from Emma Duffy at Clichy-sous-bois.
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