News

Richael Timothy and Ronan Grimes returned to the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome for day three of competition at the Paralympic Games today, Saturday, 31st of August 2024.

The Team Ireland riders once again excelled at the French venue, with both riders setting new national records in their respective events.

Women’s C1-3 500m Time Trial

Richael Timothy got the day off to a strong start, adding to her success from the opening day of competition on Thursday. She recorded a national record and personal best stopping the clock in a time of 41.937 seconds in the qualifying round of the Women’s C1-3 500m Time Trial.

This time left her in 10th place overall as she switches her focus to the upcoming Road Cycling events which start on Wednesday, September 4th.

Speaking afterwards, Timothy said, “I’m delighted, I couldn’t have done any more than that. 500 is obviously kind of a sprint specialist event but I said I would do it anyway – get the experience, get the warmup, all that sort of stuff.

“I went faster than I’ve ever gone and I kind of had a bit of a wobble at the start there as well but yeah it’s good to get that one done.”

Looking ahead to the remainder of the Games, she added, “I suppose the road is kind of take it as it comes, anything can happen, especially in the Road Race. So I’m just going to get as much rest, recovery, we’ll get out on the road on Tuesday then see what it’s like, then hopefully we’ll all do well next week.”

Men’s C4 4000m Individual Pursuit

Ronan Grimes came within touching distance of making the final of the Men’s C4 4000m Individual Pursuit. Grimes, who put in an exceptional performance yesterday in the Men’s C4-5 1000m Time Trial yesterday, once again excelled on the track.

He posted a time of 4:28.859, beating his own personal best and national record set in the UCI World Championships in Glasgow last year.

Post race, Grimes had some mixed emotions, “I’m delighted, I mean a bit upset seeing the time that the French rider coming through just did, I mean it probably won’t be a ride off now but I’ve 4:28 for the Individual Pursuit. Before today only three riders had ever gone under 4:30, I think there will be a few more later on but to join that club I think is something I should be very proud of and it is something I am very proud of.

“Happy with that, maybe a bit disappointed I don’t think it will get me a ride off but on the other side of it that’s something I’ll have forever.

“Last year I did a time that I didn’t think was in me and I was sick in March for World Championships and I did a slow time. There was a bit of pressure coming on myself wanting to PB but kind of doing the splits in me head and saying I don’t know if I have that in me, I came nowhere near to it in training.

“I mean credit to the coaches, credit to Jamie [Blanchfield – Cycling Ireland National Para-cycling Coach], he knows how to get you in shape. That’s more his result as my result. He dictated the training and he got that result as much as I did.”

Talking about the Irish support, Grimes added, “You’d come three quarters of the track and hear nothing and then I’d get to that back straight – the roars every time, I knew they were for me. People have spent a lot of money to get here, and to come see me. To me that’s unfathomable that somebody would actually do that. I’ll get emotional thinking of that, I really want to thank them.”

This may be the final event on the track for Grimes, but he will compete in the Road Cycling events on Wednesday and Friday.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, Sunday 1st of September, will see all four Team Ireland tandem bikes return to the track.

Martin Gordon, piloted by Eoin Mullen, and Damien Vereker, piloted by Mitchell McLaughlin, will both compete in the Men’s B 1000m Time Trial. The qualification round will take place at 10:00.

Competing in the qualifying round for the Women’s B 3000m Individual Pursuit at 10:26 will be Katie-George Dunlevy, piloted by Eve McCrystal, and Josephine Healion, piloted by Linda Kelly,

All times listed above are Irish time.

Road Cycling events will begin on Wednesday with the Individual Time Trial.