Rohan wins Silver Medal in Time Trial at Para-Cycling World Championships

Defending Paralympic and World Champion, Mark Rohan, has won a silver, in a personal best time, in what was a tough race in the Men's H1 Handcycling Time Trial at the 2013 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships in Baie-Comeau, Canada, this evening. The Gold medal went to Italy's Luca Mazzone, with William Groulx from the USA taking the Bronze Medal.

Rohan, from Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath, rode a strong race, moving from third place into the Silver medal position on the last lap. The reigning Paralympic and World Champion in both the Time Trial and the Road Race was always going to have tough competition in Italy's Mazzone, who is racing in this category for the first time this year, and has been dominant in the World Cups so far. Groulx is also a newcomer to the MH1 racing

Speaking after the race Rohan said "Everything went to plan. I came out a week early this year, and that really paid off. I rode according to the plan, even above it, as I got a pb out there. I'm happy with the performance, and very proud to have an Irish jersey on the podium.

The early part of the 17.3km Time Trial involved a lot of climbing, and Rohan made up a lot of time in the Downhill section coming to the finish:

"I was 20 seconds down coming into the last section, and I just kept the hammer down until the end. Results are out of your control, all you can do is focus on your own performance. Especially in the Time Trial, hopefully my experience and tactics can come more into play in the Road Race on Saturday. I'd just like to say a huge thanks to Brian, Neill and the whole team who helped out."

Head Coach Brian Nugent was happy with Rohan's race saying "Mark rode very well. It was a great performance; his best performance of the year. Everything went to plan on the day. He was just beaten by a stronger guy on the day. The Time Trial gives a good check to who is going well, and Mark's silver medal shows that he is in good contention to go for the win in the Road Race on Saturday."

Racing continues tomorrow, with reigning World Champion Colin Lynch racing in the MC2 Time Trial at 3.38pm Irish time. Paralympic Bronze medallist stoker, James Brown races at 6.50pm Irish time with new pilot, Mark Bleakley. Shortly after, Ireland's two female tandems will compete, with recent World Cup Bronze medallists Katie-George Dunlevy and Fiona Guihen starting at 7.15pm Irish time, followed by Paralympic Bronze Medallists in this discipline, Catherine Walsh and Fran Meehan, who start two minutes later. Saturday and Sunday will see all athletes compete in the Road Races.