CANADIAN CYCLISTS WRAP UP PARALYMPIC GAMES WITH THREE MEDALS
TOKYO (September 2, 2021) – Following Canada’s medal haul on the track last week where Keely Shaw, Tristen Chernove and Kate O’Brien each finished on the podium, Canada wrapped up the para-cycling events at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on Thursday after three days of road racing. Eight athletes competed in the time trial and road races after Chernove made the decision to retire with immediate effect following the track races.
The road events kicked off on Tuesday with the time trial for athletes of all categories, where Keely Shaw finished 4th in the women’s C4 competition, while Rio 2016 silver medallist Ross Wilson (C1) was 7th.
The following day, Charles Moreau, Joey Desjardins and Alex Hyndman tackled the highly competitive men’s H3 road race, with Moreau aiming to repeat his 2016 podium finish. Unfortunately, he flatted early in the first lap and wasn’t able to make his way back to the front of the pack, finishing 10th behind teammate Desjardins who was 8th. Hyndman was 11th.
On Canada’s last day of racing, athletes faced brutal conditions at the Fuji International Speedway, with heavy rain and fog making the course slippery with limited visibility. Despite this Shelley Gautier finished 5th in the women’s T1-2 road race – the first T1 rider to cross the line. Marie-Ève Croteau (T2) was forced to abandon in the same event after crashing out of the lead group. Keely Shaw (C4) was 13th in the women’s C4-5 event, while Ross Wilson (C1) did not finish the men’s C1-3 road race.
“We really didn’t know what we’d get when we came into these Paralympic Games, but I’m proud to say our team put athletes’ health and wellbeing ahead of medals – that meant avoiding unnecessary travel and missing some competition opportunities, which had an impact on some of our performances,” said Cycling Canada’s High Performance Director, Kris Westwood. “In these circumstances, we can be happy to come out of the Games with three medals, particularly since two of them came from Paris-targeted athletes. We can now turn our focus to finding the next generation of cycling Paralympians. I would encourage anyone interested in para-cycling to reach out to us to learn more about the sport.”
Medal Tally
Kate O’Brien – Silver (C4 500m Time Trial)
Tristen Chernove – Silver (C1 Individual Pursuit)
Keely Shaw – Bronze (C4 Individual Pursuit)
For full results, click here.
