The first individual Olympic bronze for Jonas! — © Belgian
Handbiker Jonas Van de Steene has just won bronze in the time trial at the Paralympics in Paris. The athlete from Zaffelar has been peaking for ‘his’ two-day event in the French capital all season and has already struck before the road race – his biggest dream – with his second Olympic medal after Rio de Janeiro.
The time trial in Clichy-Sous-Bois was a nervous affair, with all the top athletes present: the Austrian and multiple world champion Plat already had a six-second lead on our compatriot after 6 kilometers in the first of two laps of 14 km each. So it was exciting to look forward to the passage after the first full lap.
There was a moment of panic when Thomas Frühwirth from Austria also set a faster time than Jonas Van de Steene. After 14 km, Plat finally rode comfortably in the lead with an 18-second lead over the second, which meant that Jonas rode virtually in a bronze position, with a 13-second lead over the fourth. Halfway through, the bear from Zaffelare had to give up a place. It was already clear then that much would depend on details, because the circle of top athletes was then only a handful of seconds apart.
Hug and high five from the youngest fan in Paris. — © arlette criel
Plat, Fritsch and Van de Steene: the Olympic podium handbike H4
Jonas stayed on bronze course in the second half of the race, although he always had Fritsch behind him – a threat for the podium. A good final sprint made sure that he made up a few seconds on Frühwirth, but then defending champion Jetz Plat had to come in. He eventually won by two seconds from Fritsch. Olympic bronze for the hand biker from Zaffelar.
Tomorrow Jonas Van de Steene will ride the road race, in which he will be cheered on by 100 supporters who will set off tomorrow morning at 9 am to the edge of Paris, from sports hall ‘t Veerleveld. You can also come and cheer Jonas on in the cafeteria from 4 pm. You will read much more about it here tomorrow!
Jonas was delighted with his first Olympic bronze afterwards: “I came for a medal, and the disappointment would have been great if it hadn’t worked out. I think I showed that I am worthy of a medal.”
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