Paralympics: Sharp in form as Rio games loom

Fraser Sharp on his way to winning a major time trial in Adelaide in April. Photo / Supplied

Fraser Sharp's dream of representing New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympics took a big step forward in Italy this month.

The 38-year-old Tauranga cyclist met the New Zealand Academy team in Milan and travelled with them to two UCI paracycling road world cup events in Maniago, Eastern Italy, and Yverdon les Bains, in Switzerland.

Performing well at those events was key to Sharp making the New Zealand podium team to contest the world champs in Nottwil, Switzerland from July 28 to August 2, and to try to win selection for Rio.

Sharp's first race was in Mandiago on June 1 against the world's best in his class.

"I raced a hard 26km time trial in hot conditions. I laid it all down and finished fifth in the world, only 30 seconds off gold," Sharp said.

"I was a little annoyed but had given it all. So that's all I could ask for. My para coach notified me that I had done enough to make the podium team for the world champs in Nottwil."

That good news was counterbalanced by bad luck for Sharp at Yverdon les Bains.

"I was amping to fire 24 hours before the time trial. We were having our last recon of the circuit on closed roads when somehow a motorist pulled out in front of me and, even though I was travelling slow (30km/h), it was enough to crack my frame, but no broken bones for me.

"So I had to pull out of the time trial. I had another bike which I could ride in the road race last Monday, in shocking wet conditions, to finish 10th. I am now in Verbier, Switzerland training and staying with friends before going through to the south of France to train, as a Kiwi friend has offered me a bed for a few weeks.

"I then fly out to Zurich on July 19 to drive through, with New Zealand staff, to race in Germany (Black Forest) where I am only doing the time trial, before a hard world champs circuit in Nottwil, Switzerland."

Sharp's good form follows some standout efforts in April.

He competed against the best riders from Malaysia, Korea, Australia and New Zealand at the 2015 Cycling Australia Para-Cycling C1 event in Adelaide, winning the 16.6km time trial and finishing third in the 70.6km road race.

In both races he beat multiple Olympic Games medallist and Korean champion Jin Yongsik.

A week later Sharp won the 25km time trial in a time of 36:29, at the national championships in Napier.