Photo: Alexandre Hayward, Mike Sametz with medals
SANTIAGO – Alexandre Hayward of Quispamsis, N.B. and Nathan Clement of West Vancouver each won gold in their respective road time trials Sunday as Para cycling action got underway at the 2023 Parapan American Games.
Mike Sametz of Calgary and Charles Moreau of Victoriaville, Que. made it a four-medal day for Canada, each adding a bronze.
Hayward earned his victory in the men’s C1-5 combined classifications clocking the 21.6 kilometre course in 26:21.14. Lauro Cesar Moro of Brazil was second in 27:06.06 and Sametz third in 27:25.14.
‘’Mike and I trained for a week in Bromont and we joked it would be nice if we could both get on the podium,’’ said Hayward, sixth at the world championships where he was coming back from mononucleosis. ‘’To do it in the first race is really special.’’
Hayward, 26, was a candidate for the QMJHL draft in 2012 when he suffered a neck injury in a AAA hockey game. While all his limbs are impaired, he can still use his arms and legs. He emerged on the Para cycling scene in 2022.
‘’This was a unique time trial,’’ he said. ‘’Usually when you leave the start-finish area the fans sort of die off a bit but they were all over the course which made it a lot of fun.’’
Sametz was a double Paralympic medallist in 2016 and has returned to the 2023 team after injury and illness in roaring fashion. He also took bronze in the time trial at worlds.
‘’We just arrived here 48 hours ago so this feels really great,’’ said Sametz about his medal.
Clement showed why he won the world title this past summer in the event posting a decisive victory in the mixed T1-2 (tricycle) race. He clocked 15:44.73 with Dennis Connor of the U.S. second in 17:14.27 and Juan Betancourt of Colombia third in 17:46.71.
‘’I’m really happy with the race and the medal,’’ said Clement, who last competed at the Parapan Ams in swimming in 2015 winning a bronze medal. ‘’We just got here so I’m really looking forward to experiencing the Village and the Games atmosphere as we prepare for the road race.’’
Shelley Gautier of Niagara Falls, Ont., Canada’s flag bearer in the Opening Ceremony Friday night, was fifth.
In the men’s H1-5 handcycle race, two Americans were ahead of Moreau who clocked 31:46.65. Eric Pinney took the gold in 31:19.05 and Brandon Lyons was second in 31:38.33.
‘’What I really appreciate about these Games is the opportunity to stay motivated and bring some more race excitement and spirit to the season after the worlds’’ said Moreau, a double Paralympic medallist and now with three Parapan Am podiums.
Keely Shaw of Midale, Sask. was fourth in the women’s C1-5, a mere 0.25 seconds from the podium, while Mel Pemble of Victoria was seventh.
