Ex-F1 driver takes gold

Alex Zanardi tasted victory of a different kind at Brands Hatch as he took gold in the H4 hand-cycle time-trial.

Zanardi claims first place in H4 hand-cycle time-trial

Former Formula One driver Alex Zanardi tasted victory of a different kind at Brands Hatch as he took gold in the H4 hand-cycle time-trial. The 45-year-old Italian's time of 24 minutes 50.22 seconds over the 16km course was enough to beat Germany's Norbert Mosandl. Zanardi, a former F1 pilot for Minardi and Lotus who also drove in Indy and touring car races, was critically injured and had to have both legs amputated after a horror smash in 2001.

Competed

He battled back into sport, even competing in a touring car race at Brands Hatch in a specially-adapted car with hand controls before turning his attention to hand-cycling, winning the category at the New York Marathon last year. "Last time I was here I was going about five times faster but I still love this circuit!" Zanardi said. There was also a hand-cycle gold for Ireland in the H1 category where favourite - and Sky Sports Scholar - Mark Rohan beat Israel's Koby Lion by nearly 12 seconds.