By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

August 22 - Britain's Sarah Storey (pictured) added another gold medal at the UCI Paralympic World Road Championships in Baie-Comeau, Canada, as Ireland's Mark Rohan achieved his country's first ever victory in the event.
 

The seven-time Paralympic champion followed up her the time trial victory she had enjoyed earlier in the event by winning the road race.

The 32-year Manchester rider beat Anna Harkowska of Poland by just five seconds in the 57-kilometre road race in the C5 category.

Storey finally broke the resistance of her rival in the last 500 metres following a tough battle.

"That was a great race to ride, as riders were attacking from the start, making it an aggressive race," said Storey.

"At the start Anna attacked and that set the tone for the race with action throughout.

"With it being a hard race it played into my hands, as I knew I had the perfect preparation for the event, racing some pretty hard races with my team Horizon Fitness this year.

"As we went over the main climb each lap, I tried to push the pace and open some gaps between riders.

"Which went down to four riders to start with, then I distanced the two riders from USA, going into the last lap, I was determined to try and put some time between myself and Anna.

"She hung on to my back wheel just.

"Then I attacked with three kilometres to go, but thought it was a bit early and eased back, then sprinted away from her at 500 metres to go.

"Once I got in the finish straight I knew the world title was mine.

"It’s brilliant to retain the title I won last year and this now brings my tally to 14 world titles in swimming and cycling."

Rachel Morris (pictured) won for Britain in the hand-cycling road race beating Sandra Graf of Switzerland by 80 seconds, pulling away from her rivals and finishing in a time of 1 hour 18min 04sec.

"I tried to carry out our plan of attack which was to control the speed on the first lap up the climb, where I was able to get a gap on my opponents," said Morris, who won gold in the individual time trial on Thursday (August 19).

"I'm really happy to be double world champion and after the problems with classification last year I was so glad to win this year."

Ireland also had plenty to celebrate with the victory of Rohan in the H1 hand-cycling race.

Riding a very tactical race Rohan pulled away from the rest of the field on the first lap with the defending world champion, Austria's Wolfgang Schattauer. 

On the second lap they were joined by the Israeli rider Yakof Lion and it was clear that these three would share out the medals.

On the final climb Rohan and Schattauer increased the pressure to drop the Israeli rider. 

With just 500 metres to go Rohan attacked from behind to overtake Schattauer and held him off in a thrilling finish to win by just two seconds and take gold medal.

"Singing the Irish national anthem at a World Championship medal ceremony was a great experience and hopefully one we will repeat again before the Championships are over," said said Denis Toomey, Irish Para-cycling.

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Related stories
August 2010:
Storey and Stone claim victories for Britain in Canada
December 2009: Storey - It will be tough but I can achieve double glory at London 2012
December 2009: Storey joins Horizon Fitness women's team
November 2009: Storey to lead Deloitte Ride Across Britain
November 2009: Britain rule the boards with 10 gold medals in Manchester