UCD Sports Management graduate Mark Rohan secured Ireland's first ever Paracycling World Championship Gold Medal when winning the H1 Handcycling Road Race in Baie-Comeau Canada on August 20th.

Riding a very tactical race Rohan pulled away from the rest of the field in the first lap with the previous World Champion Austrian rider Wolfgang Schattauer.  In the second lap they were joined by the Israeli rider Yakof Lion and it was clear that these three would share out the medals.

On the final climb Rohan and Schattauer increased the pressure to drop the Israeli rider and leave it a two cat race for the gold medal.  With just 500 metres to go Rohan attacked from behind to overtake Schattauer and held him off in a thrilling finish to win by just two seconds and take the Gold for Ireland.

Expressing delight at the result Irish Paracycling Manager, Denis Toomey, said he was so proud of Rohan on his great performance and paid tribute to his coaches Beverly Chamberlain and Brian Nugent and the other support staff members mechanic Gerry Beggs and Masseuse  Fionnuala Kirby for the part they played in Rohan's great win.
"Singing the Irish National Anthem at a World Championship Medal Ceremony was a great experience and hopefully one we will repeat again before the championships are over" said Toomey.