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Morrinsville Wheelers Cycle Club hand cyclists Sue Reid, Tiffiney Perry, and Brendon Stratton completed a successful campaign last week in Caloundra Queensland, each winning medals at the Australian Oceania Paracycling Champs and a week later at the Oceania Road Paracycling Champs. Sue Reid completed a golden clean sweep in the ladies H3 class, winning 2 gold medals at each meet in both the time trial and the road race. In the process of winning the time trial at the Australian nationals, Sue also came within a few seconds of beating the “A” standard qualifying time for the 2012 Olympics. Tiffiney Perry also struck gold at the Oceania Paracycling Champs with two big rides, winning both the ladies H2 time trial and road races. In doing so, she went one step better than the Australian Nationals where she won two silver medals in the same events. Although relatively new to the sport of road hand cycling, Brendon Stratton also had success in the mens H3 division, winning bronzes at the Australian nationals in the time trial and road race, and then one week later, silvers in the same events at the Oceania championships. In the process of winning medals, all riders have earned the New Zealand Paracycling team valuable world ranking points, which go towards the allocation of places for the New Zealand team at next years Paralympics to be held in London. In all there were 5 hand cyclists attending both meets from New Zealand, and all medaled and collected ranking points at some stage. Between the events there was a great opportunity to do some group training rides, talk shop, and generally experience being part of the New Zealand team setup. The next event on the calendar is a World Cup race in Sydney in the first weekend of May. By John Rich and Michael Jones Velolab Cycle Coaching Services Members Morrinsville Wheelers Cycle Club
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