Two hand-cycle wins for BMW Brand Ambassador Alessandro Zanardi

BMW Brand Ambassador Alessandro Zanardi (IT) had a successful weekend in Ostende, Belgium. Zanardi was there for his first event of the season at the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup and he is not going home empty handed. He just bagged two victories in the road race and the team relay and a second place in the time trial.

For Friday’s H5 class time trial, the athletes tackled two laps on the fast 8.3-kilometre circuit. Zanardi was able to set the second fastest time behind winner Jetze Plat (NL). Saturday’s more than seven laps turned out to be really exciting. Four athletes battled for the win the final stages. Zanardi was able to get ahead of the others in a thrilling final sprint towards victory. Zanardi also commanded the third and final competition team relay on Sunday. He was in the lead together with the Italian national team namely Paolo Cecchetto (IT) and Francesca Porcellato (IT).

“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 BMW Brand Ambassador 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.”

Zanardi is currently recovering and will resume his intensive training programme next week.