Saturday, September 08 2012

British rider David Stone has claimed the gold medal in the Mixed T1-2 Road Race at Brands Hatch this morning, successfuly defending his crown from Beijing 2008.

Stone was at the front of the pack throughout the three lap race, forming a three bike breakaway in the early stages with Italian Giorgio Farroni and German Hans-Peter Durst. The trio became two at the end of the second lap when Durst retired to the garages with an as yet unidentified problem.

That left Stone close following in the wheel tracks of Farroni, and as the pair rejoined the racing circuit halfway round the final lap, Stone edged ahead. However the Brit allowed the Italian to pass going up Pilgrims Drop, but then made his move through Surtees corner and along the Cooper Straight. Heading up the hill to Druids Farroni edged closer again, but going up Paddock Hill, Stone again stretched his advantage, and a final burst of acceleration at the back of the pits with 500m to go saw Stone confirm victory, crossing the finish line to the adulation of the enthusiastic Brands Hatch crowd.

Speaking afterwards Stone said "I kept making a move but he always stayed with me, it was so hard, that was my best race in my whole life. Looking back to Beijing, the competition is so much stronger now and it makes it much more of a sport. The crowd were fantastic; I couldn't let them down could I? Even in the final stages I didn't think I'd won it because he's (Ferroni) so strong."

To make sure you miss none of the action at Brands Hatch click here to visit the Paralympics minisite.

Click here to check availability for tickets to the Paralympic Road Cycling events at Brands Hatch.

Please note: this event is organised by LOCOG and only official London 2012 tickets are valid for admission. Any MSV-issued passes, for example media, residents' and season passes, are NOT valid for admission.