Sligo paracyclist Martin Gordon and tandem rider Eoin Mullen were 12th in Thursday’s men’s 4000 metres individual pursuit, on the opening day of competition at the Paris Paralympics.
Gordon and Mullen beat their GB opponents in their 4k heat – but neither bike was going flat out as event is not their main competition at these games.
All paracyclists are required to compete in at least two events in Paris.
Gordon is geared towards the sprint events so with no realistic prospect of a podium finish in Thursday’s event, he and Mullen were clearly conserving their energy.
Their main competition is Sunday’s one-kilometre time trial or ‘Kilo’.
Gordon finished fifth in the ‘Kilo’ in Toyko three years ago.
Donegal tandem rider Mitchell McLaughlin, who’s from Drumkeen, was piloting for Gordon’s Ireland team-mate Damien Vereker in the same event on Thursday.
They finished seventh quickest overall – but missed out a place in the medal races.
Watch RTÉ’s interviews with Martin & Damien here:
Martin Gordon and Damien Vereker both referenced the crowd at the velodrome after their races earlier today#RTEparalympics #paris2024
📺Watch https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱Updates https://t.co/WmJwMTWm1S pic.twitter.com/WFwI6UQ06Q— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 29, 2024
