Vereker post personal best time despite bowing out
Ireland’s Damien Vereker and pilot Mitchell McLaughlin competing at the Paris Paralympic Games at the Para Track Cycling, Velodrome. Photo: INPHO/Casey B. Gibson
Waterford cyclist Damien Vereker bowed out of the Paris Paralympics with his head held high as despite posting a best-ever time in the saddle, he just failed to make qualification for the medal race.
Vereker, along with his pilot Mitchell McLaughlin, finished in seventh place in the 4000 metres individual pursuit recording a personal best time of 4:14.826 in the men’s event, but it wasn’t good enough to pursue their dreams of a medal.
With only the top four qualifying for the gold medal race, Vereker and his partner could be proud of their efforts inside the velodrome in the French capital as they gave it their all reaching an average speed of 56.5km per hour, which left them in seventh.
It was the Netherlands Tristan Bangma who was quickest around the track in reaching an average speed of 61.174km per hour to finish the course in 3:55.396 which sets the standard for the medial positions. Ireland’s other competitor in the competition, Martin Gordon, who hails from Sligo, finished behind Vereker in a time of 5:27.642.
