Canada’s Keely Shaw has won her second bronze medal at the 2022 world para-cycling championships in Baie-Comeau, Que., after finishing third in the women’s C4 road race, 70.2 kilometers.
On the final day of competition on Sunday, Shaw of Midale, Sask., ran a time of 2:03:29, just behind USA’s Samantha Bosco, who won gold in 2:00 :05 and Australia’s Meg Lemon won. home silver with a time of 2:03:27.
“Today I showed that I’m a road runner and not a road runner,” Shaw said. “I’ve never been so close to second place in an international road race.”
In the final race of her career, Marie-Claude Molnar of Longueuil, Que., finished fourth in 2:12.46.
Shaw’s medal also marked Canada’s seventh total for the event.
BRONZE for @KeelyShaw14
The Canadian raced to a bronze medal at the World Pre-Cycling Championships pic.twitter.com/6LLJlEXNgF
Sébastien Travers, head coach of Canada’s national Para cycling team, was ecstatic about the team’s results.
“It was a great week for us,” Travers said. “We won more medals than expected. We got some great performances from the newcomers and our veterans were able to deliver the goods. We are where we want to be, two years from the Paris Paralympics”.
Clement, Desjardins reach the podium
On Saturday, Nathan Clement of West Vancouver took silver and Joey Desjardins of Hawkesbury, Ont., won bronze in the road races at the 2022 World Road Cycling Championships.
Klementi won the second silver medal of the competition in the T1 (tricycle) 28.4 kilometer road race. The 27-year-old finished second in 1:01:42, just behind Italian Giorgio Farroni’s 1:00:20. Spain’s Gonzalo Garcia Abella was third in 1:02:56.
“I was pushed to my limits by my two main opponents,” said Clement, a former Para national team swimmer. “The coaching staff gave me a lot of information to help run a tough race and get the silver medal.” ‘
Waiting for the medal ceremony made us like 😄😄 @deswheelie 🥉 @Nate_Clement 🥈 @CyclingCanada pic.twitter.com/JChKcnWlx1
Desjardins’ result in the men’s 66.2km H3 (handcycle) race was a standout as he overtook Mirko Testa in the final straight away to claim his first career medal in five world championship appearances. His previous best finish was eighth.
“I’m still pinching myself,” Desjardins said. “I gave everything I had.”
France’s Riadh Tarsim raced to gold in 2:01:59, while Italy’s Paolo Cecchetto was second in 2:02:00 and Desjardins third in 2:02:02.
“I tried to be active in the group,” Desjardins said. ”I started a little hesitantly and slowly. About an hour and 15 minutes in I got a second wind, made some moves, felt like I was strong on the hills and it worked.”
