Luís Costa ranked 5th this Sunday in the class H5 long distance race, at the European Paracycling Championship, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The H5 race saw a group of five men ahead of the others, disputing among them the podium. Luís Costa was among that quintet. “I am very happy that he was at the front of the race, but we know that there are three men who are practically untouchable and do not give the competition a chance”, said national coach José Marques.
The coach was referring to those who, race after race, occupy the podium and who today were no exception. The surprise was that victory went to the Dutchman Tim de Vries and not to compatriot Mitch Valize, second, 1 second away.
With the same time difference, the third arrived, the Frenchman Loic Vergnaud. Luís Costa, in fifth position, spent 5 seconds more than the winner.
Another Portuguese in the race was Flávio Pacheco. The H4 class platoon split into two large groups. Flávio Pacheco was in the second group, finishing in ninth position, 7m10s from the winner, the Frenchman Mathieu Bosredon.
“It was a performance that corresponded to the expectations we had, given the quality of this class and the level at which Flávio is currently at. It was a shame not to be able to get a place or two ahead, as he was in contention for the sprint, for seventh place”, explains José Marques.
The medals were decided between the three men who isolated themselves at the head of the race. Mathieu Bosredon won, followed by compatriot Joseph Fritsch, who recorded the same time, and Austrian Thomas Frühwirth, who spent 2 seconds more.
Comments