A SYDENHAM cyclist has Rio de Janeiro in his sights after some strong international performances.
Two-time gold medal Paralympian Michael Gallagher enjoyed an ideal tune-up ahead of September’s UCI Road World Championships in Canada, winning bronze in the road time trial at June’s UCI World Cup in Merano, Italy.
He finished 13th in the road race.
“The trip was more of a build up of training and racing towards the road world champs in Canada,” Gallagher said.
“[Winning] a medal there is more what my training has been based on. My long-term goal is to try to qualify for the [Paralympic] Games in Rio 2016.”
The part-time building estimator also won the time trial at the Europa Cup in Germany and finished second in the road race.
Gallagher, 34 and originally from Scotland, only took up the sport in 2005. He won gold at the Beijing and London Paralympics in his pet event, the four-kilometre pursuit.
He rides 700 kilometres in a normal training week, often covering the hilly terrains of Sunbury, Bulla and Mount Macedon.
Gallagher has Erb’s palsy nerve damage in his right shoulder, from complications at birth. He was pulled out by his right arm which tore nerves affecting different muscles through the arm and shoulder.
Gallagher is the world record holder for the four-kilometre pursuit and has won seven velodrome world titles during his career.
