Dylan Bettencourt
Pieter du Preez’s race could have ended in tears when another cyclist swerved in front of him, but he narrowly avoided a collision and blitzed to another gold medal for South Africa.
The 41-year-old’s race in the men’s H1 cycling time trial at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was almost brought to a premature end when Du Preez was speeding down the main straight to complete his first of two 8km loops when a cyclist from a different classification was exiting the track.
“I saw him so late. I swerved onto two wheels otherwise I would have hit him. My arm touched his wheel. That’s how close it was. I was flying,” Du Preez told the Team SA website.
Du Preez powered his way to the win in 43min 49.11 seconds, nearly two minutes ahead of second place.
Reacting to winning the gold, du Preez said: “I can’t explain it, it’s very special. I was in tears after I crossed the line. Tonight I’m going to have an even bigger cry in my bed.”
The veteran cyclist has had a glittering career with many accolades but he has now finally achieved his dream of winning a gold medal.
This is South Africa’s fourth medal – three of them gold.
Image source: @TeamSA2020
