New Zealand Paralympian Rory Mead finished fourth in the men’s H2 time trial on the opening day of competition at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Belgium today.

The 38-year-old quadriplegic finished just 10 seconds off the podium in the men’s H2 test over 14.6km with two laps of the coastal course in Ostend.

He was fifth fastest at the halfway mark before a strong second half to his timed test for fourth place from the 17 starters, with an average of 29.5kph.

Mead produced some impressive power output in his first major competition since the Paris Paralympics nine months ago, after a solo build-up at his home base in Athens, Georgia in USA.

“Today’s time trial went really well. I gave it everything I had and It was a personal best power output for me so I’m very pleased with how it all played out,” said Mead.

“After months of long training rides on the indoor trainer it feels great to put out this kind of performance here. While 10 seconds off the podium is slightly disappointing, it is exciting to know that we’re improving every year.”

Frenchman Florian Jouanny from France, the road race gold medallist at the Paris Paralympics and time trial silver medallist at the Zurich worlds, took out the win in 24:10.387.

He finished 40 seconds clear of the Paris time trial gold medallist, Sergio Munoz (ESP) with Italy’s Luca Mazzone, who has 18 world titles to his credit in paracycling and para swimming, narrowly edging out the kiwi for the final spot on the podium.

“We have a few months before the world championships in August, so it’ll be back to the grindstone, and pushing hard to reach that podium.”

Tomorrow compatriot Nicole Murray begins her campaign with the time trial in the WC5 category, racing over three laps (19.5km) of the same course in Ostend.

Results: Men H2 14.6km: Florian Jouanny (FRA) 24:10,387, 1; Sergio Garrote Munoz (ESP) 24:54.309, 2; Luca Mazzone (ITA) 26:16.277, 3; Rory Mead (NZL) 26:26.191, 4.