New Zealand Para cyclist Rory Mead earned his third straight podium at the UCI World Cup in Italy today.
The US-based Mead finished third in the 17.2km individual time trial, staged at the tourist region of Montesilvano, in the Abruzzo region alongside the picturesque Adriatic Sea.
This follows bronze medals in the time trial and road race at the world cup in Belgium two weeks ago.
The two-lap course along the coastline was super-fast on a slick surface, with the Wellington athlete trying to hold on to the flying Paris Paralympic gold medallists Florian Jouanny (FRA) and Sergio Garrote Munoz (ESP).
Jouanny, the World Cup winner in Belgium recently, held off Garrote-Munoz by 14 seconds with Mead 1m43s back in third.
The kiwi para cyclist had a fight for the final spot on the podium against local Italian hero Luca Mazzone, the 2024 world time trial champion, and German Manuel Scheichl, the 2022 road race world champion.
The kiwi was 49 seconds behind the flying leading pair after the first lap and only seven seconds clear of Mazzone and Scheichi.
Mead built on his lead to claim the final spot on the podium by 26 seconds from Scheichl, with drama for Mazzone, who punctured which ended his podium hopes in front of fervent local fans.
It was a strong performance from kiwi who had battled with a light chest infection this week, with coach Brendon Cameron hoping Mead will recover well for the road race in two days.
Cameron said it was an excellent venue with fast slick roads running along the flat picturesque waterfront course at the popular tourist location.
Men H2, Individual time trial, 17.2kms (2 laps)
Florian Jouanny (FRA) 25:15.00, 1; Sergio Garrote Munoz (ESP) 25:29,73, 2; Rory Mead (NZL) 26:43.56, 3.
Rory Mead in action on his way to a podium finish at the UCI Paracycling Road World Cup in Montesilvano, Abruzzo in Italy. (📸: SWPix)