In a few days our athletes Ana Maria Vitelaru, already winner of the 2024 World Cup, Fabrizio Cornegliani gold in the World Cup test in Maniago, Claudia Cretti Italian champion and then Martino Pini, the tandem pair Plebani-Bernard and finally Svetlana Moshkovich they will leave for Paris. Even if Svetlana will race in the Austrian colours, she remains a friend and a family member for us. Supporting her emotionally and sentimentally was the great Andrea Casadei, her partner in life as well as the 2024 Italian Champion in Montesilvano and also a member of the Bardiani CSF Team Equa.
Paralympic cycling is divided into four main categories of vehicles: Handbike (H), Tandem for blind or visually impaired athletes (B), tricycles (T) and modified bicycles for athletes with physical disabilities (C). Each letter is followed by a number ranging from 1 to 5, where 1 represents the most severe degree of disability and 5 the mildest.
All paracycling road races will start on September 4th and end on September 7th.
When will we be able to see our athletes on the pitch?
4 SEPTEMBER time trials
For those who are not familiar with the various categories, we underline that they start from the mildest disability (high numbers e.g.: MH5) and continue with the most significant disability (e.g.: MH1). An exception is made for MH5/3 who start in the queue (while MH2 and MH1 leave after the women WH 4-5)
8:00 AM
CLAUDIA CRETTI WC5
followed by all the WC categories
to follow
ANA MARIA VITELARU WH5
SVETLANA MOSHKOVICH WH4
FABRIZIO CORNEGLIANI MH1
PLEBANI BERNARD (tandem)
MARTINO PINI MH3
How will the time trial be managed? Let’s keep in mind that the athletes will have a challenging road race the following day which, for the higher categories, exceeds 70 km of distance.
Who will give everything and who will save themselves in view of the online race. Each of our boys knows their opponents (who are the ones they met in the World Cup this year) and it is inevitable that the match will be based on them. Will groups form? Will agreements be made during the race? The competition promises to be rich and interesting.
September 5th and 6th are dedicated to online tests. The circuit, approx. 40 km from Paris, it is quite technical and delicate. Some roundabouts with exposed pavements become points of attention due to the delicate balance of the vehicles. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, in the month of July there were still numerous pits and speed bumps which constitute an objective danger for the athletes, especially in the road race where, if you are in a group, you do not see the obstacle in front of you. in front of. We hope that the organization has remedied this.
The route features two not long but selective climbs, one of which reaches 8-9% in the steepest section. This will be where athletes can make the difference.
5 SEPTEMBER Road Race
9.30 am
FABRIZIO CORNEGLIANI MH1
SVETLANA MOSHKOVICH WH4
ANA MARIA VITELARU WH5
MARTINO PINI MH3
6 SEPTEMBER Road Race
9.30 am
CLAUDIA CRETTI WC5
PLEBANI BERNARD (tandem)
SEPTEMBER 7 Team Relay
9.30 am
mixed race with categories H1-5
At this point all we can do is wish our boys good luck and… may sport win!
The Paralympic competitions will be broadcast by Rai 2 HD and streamed on Raiplay and on the YouTube channel @paralympics
