Great Britain Cycling Team’s Stephen Bate and Adam Duggleby completed an amazing comeback to take silver in the men’s B tandem road race at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup on Sunday.
The duo’s medal, their second of the three-day event after time-trial bronze, was one of two medals on the final day in Maniago, Italy.
Also on the podium was Megan Giglia who took bronze in the women’s C3 road race, her second medal after winning a medal of the same colour in the time trial.
“That was really, really hard. It’s the hardest race I’ve ever done I think,” stoker Bates said.
Down in 11th place with just under three laps to go they ended up taking the silver medal comfortably to complete a fantastic weekend of racing for the pair.
“The group split quite early on and four of us worked together to get it back. We got it back and then it went away again, but then we worked really hard when another break went and we managed to get with them.”
Happy days! pic.twitter.com/6M2CeqrVaq
— Stephen'Stanley'Bate (@kiwistevebate) June 7, 2015
Bate also paid tribute to pilot Duggleby.
“Adam hit the gas at the right time and we still had enough left in the legs. It was really good to back up that time-trial effort. I’m going to enjoy this one now, rest up well and then start focusing on Switzerland.”
Liz Saul (C4), Jaco Van Gass (C4), Jon Gildea (C5) and Simon Price (C5) all achieved top-ten finishes, securing vital Rio Paralympic qualification points.
The Great Britain Cycling Team end the opening road world cup with seven medals - two silver and five bronze.
Some of the team will now move on to the next round of the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Switzerland from 14-16 June, where more favourable temperatures should favour the British riders.
