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Queensland State Handcycling Championships
Dalby, Queensland - March 3-4, 2007
Kambouris and Taylor dominate Handcycling Championships
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George Kambouris (Balmoral Cycling Club) and Michael Taylor (Handcycling Victoria) dominated the inaugural Queensland Handcycling Championships in Dalby over the weekend of March 3-4, taking out two gold medals a piece in their respective Handcycling divisions.
In C Division (riders with no lower limb function but use of their trunk), Kambouris dominated the 30 minute criterium on Saturday afternoon (held as part of the Dalby Criterium), lapping the field and taking a convincing win over fellow C Division cyclist, Gary Connor (Handcycling Victoria). Kambouris crossed the line with a victorious punch to the air in front of a supporting Dalby crowd.
In B Division (riders with complete loss of lower limb function and limited trunk stability), Handcycling Victoria representative Michael Taylor was too strong for Darren Anderson (Victor Broncos) and Mike Nugent (Hamilton Pine River Wheelers), lapping the field and taking the win comfortably.
Sunday proved to be trying conditions for the Handcyclists, who braved 36 degree heat to contest the 48km road race as part of the Dalby Multisports Triathlon. The combined B and C Division race saw early race leaders in Kambouris, Taylor and Gary Connor (Handcycling Victoria) streaking away from their fellow competitors. Kambouris and Taylor remained together for the majority of the race until Taylor made a decisive move which saw him move away from Kambouris and stay away for the remainder of the race, taking a convincing win. Taylor took the Division B win ahead of Anderson and Darron Shields (Sunshine Coast Cycling Club) in a sprint finish which saw Anderson just edge out Shields on the line. In Division C, Kambouris was the clear winner ahead of Connor.
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These results will be a great confidence boost for all riders who will be heading to Perth, Western Australia in two weeks for the Wild West Tour, a 5 stage international Handcycling event and the 2007 Australian AWD National Championships in Melbourne at the end of the month.
Queensland is only the third State in Australia to embark on a State Championship event for Handcyclists in a bid to increase competitive opportunities for athletes with a disability and increase the profile of Handcycling as a sport.
Handcycling is for athletes who normally require a wheelchair for general mobility or athletes who cannot use a conventional bicycle or tricycle. Events exist within Australia and around the world for Handcyclists, some of these include the Paralympic Games, World Handcycling Championships, Australian National Championships and the Wild West Tour.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Alex Bright
- An elated George Kambouris after a convincing win in the C Division Handcycling 30 minute criterium.
- Michael Taylor (Handcycling Victoria) on his way to victory in the B Division Handcycling 48km road race.
- Garry Connor (Handcycling Victoria) and George Kambouris (Balmoral Cycling Club) with State Development Officer, Alex Bright.
- The road race location - the middle of nowhere!
- Michael Taylor gets a spray from the volunteer on the run home on the road race.
- Gary Connor (Handcycling Victoria) and George Kambouris (Balmoral Cycling Club) with their road race medals.
Results
C Division Criterium 1 George Kambouris 2 Gary Connor B Division Criterium 1 Michael Taylor 2 Darren Anderson 3 Mike Nugent 4 Darron Shields C Division Road Race 1 George Kambouris 2 Gary Connor B Division Road Race 1 Michael Taylor 2 Darren Anderson 3 Darron Shields DNF Mike Nugent
