BMW Brand Ambassador Alessandro Zanardi opened his para-cycling season with two hand-cycle wins at the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup in Ostende, Belgium.
The 49-year old motorsports legend does not limit his racing to vehicles with engines. Alex has become one of the best para-athletes in the world. His two victories at Ostende were in the road race and the team relay, to which he added a second-place finish in the time trial. Earlier this year he dominated the Rome marathon, so whether it’s sprint or endurance racing. Zanardi is one of the best.
After losing his legs as a result of a horrendous crash in 2001, Zanardi has come back to race and win in specially prepared BMW touring cars. With the same determination that brought him back to victory circle in motor racing, Alex has become a nearly unstoppable force in para-cycling, as he proved in the recent Road World Cup races.
“To do a resume of my weekend: it has been excellent. Because, quite frankly, sometimes it is good to be reminded that you are not racing alone. Ostende was important, as it was the only opportunity I would have to meet my direct opponents before we head to Rio de Janeiro. And Jetze Plat showed that he is becoming strong,” said Zanardi. “He finished the time trial 13 seconds quicker than me. I then won the road race, because I was smarter than him. It was a crazy race with an amazing and very long sprint towards the finish. I crossed the line with a speed of 61.7 km/h, and that shows how intense this sprint was. On one side, Jetze’s form is something that is concerning me because he is 25 and I am nearly 50, and from here to September it will certainly be easier for him to improve even more than it is for me. But on the other side, I have to say that finishing second in the time trial was probably even sweeter than to win again. It is really exciting to have such a strong opponent like him, who is a great guy and a top athlete. I am very motivated to do everything to show up in Rio well prepared.”
By Rio, Zanardi means the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 7 to 18. The former hand-cycle World Champion and Paralympic gold medalist is seeking to add to his collection of precious metals. We’re betting he will.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
