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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