Massage therapist Alan Downe has been a member of the Australian Paracycling support team since 2007 making the trips to the world champions on a regular basis but this year’s trip was a particularly special one.
Alan, who has just returned from the titles in Denmark, said the 2011 brought a truly special moment – a brief meeting with a “ true inspiration”.
“Alex Zanardi was a champion Formula 1 and CART racing car driver who lost his legs in an horrific race smash in Germany in 2001,” Alan said.
“He was leading the race with 13 laps to go when he was t-boned by another car and it was only the prompt medical attention he received which saved his life.”
For most people losing both legs would mean the end of a sporting career but not Alex Zanardi.
“In 2007, one month prior to the New York Marathon, he accepted a challenge to enter the Handcycle division and surprised everyone by finishing fourth,” he said.
“This new sport had him hooked and he took on training with a vengeance and is now a fixture in the Italian Paracycling team.”
Last week in Denmark he finished fifth in his division after encountering interference at a round-a-bout 500m from the finish.
“When we were speaking he quipped that Handcycling is more dangerous than race cars,” Alan laughed.
“His objective now is to qualify for the Italian team to contest the Paralympics in London in 2012, and hopefully make his grandkids proud by getting a podium finish.
“It’s a far cry from driving at 200k/h but Alex’s entry to the world of paracycling has given hopes to people with a disability around the world that sport can open a new chapter in their lives.”
