Paralympic cyclist wins bronze

September 13, 2024 BY Times News Group

Jubilant: Alana Forster (right) of Australia took the women's C5 bronze medal during Day 1 of the Para Road Cycling at the Henri Barbusse Complex, Clichy Sous Bois as part of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Photo: AAP IMAGE VIA PARALYMPICS AUSTRALIA

GEORGE CLARKE/AAP WITH EDWINA WILLIAMS

BALLARAT para cyclist Alana Forster has claimed bronze in the women’s C5 individual time trial at Clichy-sous-bois as part of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

It was a triumphant first Paralympic medal for the medical doctor, who two years ago was in emergency care after being involved in a near-fatal car crash.

Alana Forster has seen success as a para athlete in the last two years, including at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, following a car accident which left her seriously injured. Photo: FILE

Cyclists weaved their way through the 14.2-kilometre time trial course – male racers did the course twice over – in the forest, looping around through the commune’s main strip and concluding with a sharp climb to finish at a municipal sports ground.

The unglamorous backdrop was in sharp contrast to the picturesque views of the Olympic time trial or the triathlon.

On day nine of the games, Forster was the best-performing Australian crossing the line in seventh spot in the women’s C4-5 road race.