There were medals galore on another successful day for the Great Britain Cycling Team at the Manchester Para-cycling International.
Inspired by the visit of close friend Prince Harry earlier in the day, Jaco Van Gass won gold comfortably in the C4 3000m individual pursuit after catching Japan’s Ishll Masashi.
Speaking after his victory, Van Gass said:
“Very nice to see Prince Harry. I texted him earlier in the week, mentioned that there was the event this weekend and if he’s in Manchester to come say hello.
Gold medal winner @jacovangass reveals the story behind today's royal visitor Prince Harry #paracycling2015 pic.twitter.com/HIcuSk8xhi
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) November 14, 2015
“It just so happened that he was and he came to say hello and it just shows you what a great lad he is. There’s no need for him to come but he took five minutes out of his day to come and say hello, watch a bit of cycling and then shoot off again. (I’m) really really pleased and thankful that he came.”
He was joined on the top step of the podium by Jon Gildea who took the victory in the C5 3000m individual pursuit and Kadeena Cox who took her second gold medal of the championships, following up her victory in yesterday’s team sprint with a win in the C1-3 500 metre time-trial. Megan Giglia took the bronze.
Kadeena, who won 100m gold in the IPC Athletics World Championships last month, said she was thrilled to get a second gold of the event and in such a fast time.
“I’m so happy just to have got out a clean ride and to have got the win today it was really good.
Fresh from picking up the gold, @kad_c talks about her incredible 500m time trial performance #paracycling2015 pic.twitter.com/txXw3cszrm
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) November 14, 2015
“After yesterday’s first lap I thought, if I could hold it together and do what I did yesterday I should hopefully have done a fast time so I’m happy with that.”
The final event of the evening saw Crystal Lane take gold in the C4-5 500m time trial, beating double world championship silver medallist Anna Harkowska of Poland by almost a second in a time of 39.829 seconds.
The individual pursuit also brought four more medals to Great Britain's haul, with Louis Rolfe, David Smith and the pair of Lora Turnham and Corrine Hall each winning silver, while Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby took bronze.
With plenty more medals up for grabs on the final day of racing tomorrow, the tally for the Great Britain Cycling Team currently stands at seven golds, three silvers and three bronze.
Tomorrow’s racing will see world champions Sophie Thornhill and Neil Fachie both in action in the tandem sprint. You can follow all the events on the British Cycling Twitter or see it for yourself in person – entry for the Manchester Para-cycling International is free all weekend. Racing begins at 9am.
