Rohan narrowly misses on medal in Road Race at Paracycling World Championships

Mark Rohan, reigning World and Paralympic Champion, finished fourth in the MH1 Road Race at the 2013 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships in Baie-Comeau, Canada, today. The Gold and Silver medals went to newcomers Luca Mazzone (Italy) and William Groulx (USA), with Paralympic Silver medallist, Tobias Fankhauser (SUI) edging into the Bronze medal position on the line

Rohan, has dominated this event since 2010 when he won his first World Title, also in Baie-Comeau. While Rohan started the race as one of the favourites, talent transfer riders, Mazzone and Groulx, were always strong opponents, having medalled in most World Cups this year.

In the early stages of the race the bunch split up with Mazzone and Groulx establishing an advantage over Rohan and Fankhauser.

Speaking after the race Head Coach Brian Nugent said "The bunch split up early on, and Mark made the first move. This group split again, with the Italian and American in the first break, and Mark and the Swiss rider chasing. Mark put so much work early on into trying to win, he really wanted to defend his World Title, but it just didn't work out.

Rohan was disappointed with his result, with Fankhauser reversing his fortunes from the Paralympic Games, pipping Ireland's top Handcyclist in the sprint finish.

Nugent relayed Rohan's disappointment saying "Mark is gutted, he is very disappointed to not get his result. He took the risk to go all out to defend his title, it meant he had nothing left for the sprint. He was pipped on the line for Bronze."

Mazzone represented Italy in Swimming in the last three Paralympic Games, where he was a consistent finalist, and has clearly transferred his talent effectively to cycling. USA's Groulx has also transferred from another tough Paralympic Sport, Wheelchair Rugby, where he has medalled in the past three Games. Groulx was the Paralympic Champion in Wheelchair Rugby at the 2008 Paralympic Games.

Tomorrow will see Colin Lynch, and all the tandems, in action in the Road Races. Colin will be looking for a strong performance in the Men's C2 event, following his Bronze medal win yesterday. The Men's tandem of Brown and Bleakley will be joined by former GAA player, Peter Ryan and Paralympic stoker Damien Shaw, where they will look to emulate their strong showing at the World Cup in Matane last weekend. In the Women's tandems, both Irish bikes will be starting in strong form, with Walsh and Meehan looking to put the disappointment of their mechanical in the Time Trial behind them.