Bronze Medal At Para-Cycling World Champs

New Zealand has won a bronze medal at the 2011 Para-Cycling Track World Championships at the Velodrome “FassaBortolo” in Montichiari, Italy.

Blind cyclist Jayne Parsons and pilot Sonia Waddell finished third in the 1km time trial despite the race not being their main event.

Parsons won a bronze medal in Beijing and Waddell, a former Olympian herself and National Elite women’s time trial champion. In 2010 the pair won a silver medal at the Para-Cycling World Road Championships.

Also competing in the 1km time trial was Phillipa Gray and Laura Thompson(pilot) who finished fifth overall.

Gray was identified in the Paralympics New Zealand talent identification programme while her pilot Thompson was a member of the Tall Ferns in 2007/08.

In the men’s 3km pursuit bronze medal event Nathan Smith was just beaten in a very close race by Englishman Richard Waddon who posted a time of 3minutes49seconds.

Stephen Hills in his first world champs finished 12th in a strong filed in the 3km pursuit while Chris Ross completed his race in 17th place.