Steve Bate showed off his world champion’s rainbow jersey in style after a dominant time trial victory at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Canada.
Bate, piloted by Adam Duggleby, crossed the line in 35:11.46 – a full minute ahead of the rest of the men’s B field to take top spot on the Baie-Comeau podium.
But their gold medal was far from the only success as Will Bjergfelt, Lora Fachie and Corrine Hall also secured magnificent victories on a day to remember for the British team.
A twisty course with an 11 per cent climb ensured a far from easy task for the British contingent but Bate and Duggleby dealt with it admirably as they stormed to victory.
@BritishCycling’s coach fantastic @danhenchy1 with his haul of gold medalist here in. Great to be on the top step again with the girls tandem and first timer @WBjergfelt aka the Bergatron pic.twitter.com/i1o4rf9iIS
— Steve Bate MBE (@stevebatembe) August 18, 2018
This was their first time in the rainbow stripes and they certainly did the honour justice, Bate and his pilot easing to victory in the three-lap race.
Finishing a full 70 seconds ahead of the field, there was little doubt that the pair would take the win having reached each of the intermediate points in first place.
Into the men’s C5 race and a piece of personal history saw Bjergfelt secure his very first gold medal in the Para-cycling Road World Cup.
But he certainly didn’t have things his own way, forced to work hard to secure his maiden victory in a time of 37:42.03.
Over the moon to take my first @UCI_paracycling World Cup in the TT huge thanks to @BritishCycling for all the support and everyone who’s been in my corner @RoweandKing @AeroCoach @cervelo @Kalasltd @fizikofficial pic.twitter.com/WfOX3AMeRP
— William Bjergfelt (@WBjergfelt) August 17, 2018
That was despite hitting the two checkpoints in second place in his time trial effort, eventually finishing just 1.67 seconds ahead of Australia’s Alistair Donohoe while Dorian Foulon of France rounded off the top three.
And the third and final gold was to go to Fachie and Hall, completely dominant in the 28.4km time trial to win the women’s B competition by more than a minute.
Like their male teammates, the tandem pair were simply dominant from the first pedal stroke, 40:55.07 the time on the watch when they crossed the line. Poland’s Iwona Podkoscielna and Aleksandra Teclaw finished in second place.
That wasn’t all though for the Brits however as Crystal Lane-Wright picked up a valiant second place in the women’s C5, stopping the clock just 11 seconds behind winner Anna Harkowska in a time of 28:09.57.
A great day for the team yesterday Personally a bit of it a tough day on the bike for me but very happy to be on the top step of the podium with @loraturnham at the World Cup in Baie-Comeau Finishing the season tomorrow with the road race!
— Corrine Hall (@Corrinehall) 18 August 2018
The men’s C3 race also had British representation in the form of Benjamin Watson, who came second behind home favourite Michael Sametz, while Megan Giglia came third in the women’s equivalent.
And Katie Toft put in a strong showing to stop the clock in 35:55.61 in the C1 race.
Saturday saw the hand-cycling road races get underway with Karen Darke among those taking to the start line.
A solid performance came her way, finishing third in a time of 1:45:08, though she couldn't prevent Alicia Dana from taking the win.
