British Paratriathlete excels on the track in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
We’ve got used to seeing Great Britain’s PTS5 Paratriathlete, George Peasgood, combining his swim-bike-run talents with the occasional trip into single-sport competition in recent years, notably in his strongest discipline, cycling.
Two years ago (HERE) we reported on his participation at the National Track Cycling Championships, while last year (HERE), he was on the road, winning a silver medal in the Time TrIal at the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup in Ostend, Belgium.
It was another trip across the channel this – and back to the boards in the 4000m Individual Pursuit – that saw George racing in his first UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships.
While still fully committed to his triathlon goals (and indeed, completing ALL of his triathlon sessions around his tracks preps this week too…), George was announced earlier this year as part of the HUUB-Wattbike Test Team, a relationship that will no doubt have proven hugely valuable in terms of aerodynamics, equipment and tactics, given the in-depth knowledge held within that squad, headed by ‘data geek’ (that’s meant as a compliment!), Dan Bigham.
George qualified second fastest in the C4 4000m IP (4:41.409), second only to reigning World and Paralympic Champion, Jozef Metelka (SVK), which qualified him for the afternoon’s final and (at least) a Silver medal.
It could be over soon as Metelka 🇸🇰 closes in on @george_peasgood 🇬🇧 #Apeldoorn2019 pic.twitter.com/7MuAzzB8g8
— UCI Para-Cycling (@UCI_paracycling) March 16, 2019
With Jozef having gone significantly faster in his qualifying (4:31.058), George went from broke in the final with the hope of an early catch his most realistic chance of victory. It didn’t work, “The blow up was spectacular…”, but nothing ventured, nothing gained – and the Silver was already secure.
Post-race interview here with George:
Well done that man!! 😍🙌@george_peasgood has been running, swimming and riding all week and the @BritTri athlete takes Silver at the Para-Cycling Track World Champs 🥈
Some effort from George today!#Apeldoorn2019 pic.twitter.com/s9CCe7u81z
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) March 16, 2019
Still only 23, George is fast improving in his PTS5 paratriathlon division, having finished at the Paralympic Games in Rio (2016), then fourth (2017) and third (2018) at the last two Paratriathlon World Championships. His sights are fully set on Tokyo 2020.