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Canadian sets new world record in para C1 individual pursuit

Ross Wilson breaks record at the integrated Tissot UCI track cycling World Cup

Ross Wilson stands first on the podium
Ross Wilson stands first on the podium paracycling Tissot UCI World Cup in Glasgow, Scotland
Photo credit: Sebastien Travers

On Friday, Ross Wilson from Sherwood Park, Alta., set a new world record in para C1 men’s individual pursuit. Racing at the integrated Tissot UCI World Cup in Glasgow, Scotland, Wilson clocked 3:49.450 as he rode the 3,000 m distance. The previous world record of 3:50.051, set earlier this year, was held by Spanish cyclist Ricardo Ten Argilés.

Ross Wilson’s category, C1, features athletes with incomplete spinal cord injuries or comparable multiple impairments, according to the UCI. In Wilson’s case, his physical ability is affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a degenerative neurological condition. Facing, due to his disability, a gradual decline in function in his legs, back, arms and hands, Wilson has been on podiums consistently during the past few years. A two-time Olympic silver medallist at the Rio Olympics, Wilson has been growing his awards collection at both the 2018 track and 2018 road World Cups. Most recently, he finished 3rd at the mens C1 time trial at the 2019 UCI paracycling Road World Championships in Emmen, Netherlands. His main goal in 2020 is the Paralympics in Tokyo. “I want to win a gold medal,” he said to Techlifetoday.

Regarding his win and new world record Wilson is satisfied and looking toward the future.
“I didn’t really know what to expect, coming back to the track after a long block of road training,” he said, “but the work I’ve been doing with Richard Wooles and Dean Somerset has paid dividends. I’ll enjoy a couple days of rest and then hopefully build on this new benchmark for the world championships in Milton and the Games in Tokyo.”
The 2020 paracycling track world championships will be held in Milton, Ont., from Jan. 20 to Feb. 2.