Friday 6 July 2018

The Independent--- Emmen World Cup TT Round-Up (issue 2)

You know what's better than Love Island? Cycling Island! Also known as the 2nd World Cup in the 2018 UCI Paracycling Road Series. Brought to you by me (the team mate of those independents racing their hearts out today in Emmen). They will also be road racing tomorrow and the next day, too.

SIDENOTE: * Emmen is not an island but it may as well be (it is in the middle of nowhere with miles of blissful flat farmland stretching out in every direction).

So who raced today? See my infographic below:

But Hannah, how did they DO?? 



Matthew Faucher MH5

Coming in 14th out of the MH5s Matt must have had a fierce battle with comrade and competitor Justin.  Overall, ~5 minutes down from Dutch winner (home advantage!!) de Vries. Kudos for finishing with you and your kneeler in one piece. 
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Justin Davis MH5
Coming in 12th, Justin beat Matt by 45 seconds. He possibly also rolled his kneeler but was able to continue after the crash only 4 mins down from De Vries. Top effort. Here's you looking dreamy on a beach in return for doing a kick ass TT. Welcome back!
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Michael Swain MH4

OOFT the tables have turned. Alex beat Michael in the first World Cup MH4 TT (see my other blog) and now Michael comes back fighting and takes it off the lycra leopard. Yesss. I hope your bike is still orange as in a google photo I found. Netherlands victory colours here. 12th and 2 mins 35 secs down on American winner Davis. 
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Mark Allen MH4

Mark is the second MH4usketeer coming in 19th and 3 mins 57 secs off USA's winner, Davis. You're brand new to this and have gone up a place since World Cup 1 only a few months ago. Yes, mate.   
Mark Allen
Alex Brooke-Turner MH4

GWANNN. Alex, the lycra leopard of handcycling was less than second off Mike coming in at unlucky number 13. Incredible pacing to be only 26 deciseconds off your arch nemesis (ahaha) again 2 mins 35 secs off the winner. So much progress since Ostende!


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Dan Hopwood MH3

THE BIKE DESTORYERRR. Not this time. Probably using borrowed parts since your bike destroying crash in Belgium...takes a while to get used to a new bike...27th and 3 mins 32 secs back from gold. 
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Luke Jones MH3

Top twenty wahoo. 2 mins 48 secs off gold and 20th. Improved by more than a minute to the top step of the podium since Ostende, strong work.
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Elizabeth Anne McTernan WH4

Strong 6th for Liz who is aiming for Kona 2018 and is more an ultra distance triathlete these days! 3 mins 44 secs off gold. Home win for Netherland's gold medal winner Jansen.

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Karen Darke WH3

Introducing Karen or Dangerously Strong and Powerful. I took that picture in our room in Rio. Yes, that's right I roomed with a gold medallist. This is her first Paracycling race since then. She also dabbles in triathlon and has been doing adventure upon adventure recently ie she cycled across Australia after competing in the Commonwealth Games. She came 5th today. 1 min 50 off 1st place. America's Alicia Dana flew into 1st place (35 seconds faster than the WH4 gold medallist). V impressive.
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Alex Pope MB and Neil Poulton PLT

Can't find any photos. Possibly your first one! Big kudos to finishing. 8 mins back from the podium is a tough place to be but to finish and take full opportunity of the race earns my respect. Well done boys.


Krispin Gardiner MC4

Young un with a big field. Lots to come from KG. 14th and 3 min 38 secs from gold. Very good for the youngest rider out of all the MC4s.


Crystall Lane WC5 

Had all the golds this year in World Cup 1. Poland's Anna got her but only 11 seconds to gold!
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Matthew Robertson MC2

You should get a gold just for those highlights, Manny. Great hair that's what the public wants. Hair first, the golds will come. 11th and 1 min 38 off the podium. Closest to gold of all the off programme riders I believe!
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Simon Price MC2

Simon back again for more pain. He podiumed in Belgium and today came an agonizing 10 seconds off the podium but Simon'll bring it tomorrow. 

Millie Cass WC4

Am I right in thinking first ever Road World Cup? 6 min 19 off the winner and 6th place but 15 mins faster than 7th place and made it to the finish in one peice. Big kudos. 



David Smith MC1 

10th and 2mins 38secs from bronze but only the second road World Cup as a C1 so still checking out his competitors. Go Dave.