MANNY’S MEDALS

Summer 2024 saw Matthew Robertson, club Secretary, compete in both the Olympic Games in Paris and the World Championships in Zurich. Read about Matthew’s experiences of these events, as well as his well-deserved successes.

Paris Olympic Games

Track Individual Pursuit C2 - Bronze

Road Race C1-3 - 7th

Road TT C2 - 5th

Chasing bronze in Paris

Here is Matthew’s own description of his medal-winning race on the track in Paris :

So I have just returned home from an exciting couple of months away racing at the Paris Paralympics and then the Road World Championships a week later in Zurich.

The Paris Paralympics is obviously one of the biggest events out there and it was such an amazing experience.

I was going into the Paralympics with a big focus to perform on the track in the C2 individual Pursuit, mainly because this is the race we could prepare best for and calculate the variables to see how well I could do and if it was possible to bring something home as the GB program hope to achieve for everyone.

This would also allow me to play to my strengths.

This in turn meant that going into the Pursuit day I knew that I needed to perform, but I also felt relaxed at the same time. This is something I have trained for over the last 4 years and I felt ready to show everyone what I am capable of.

On the start line it was the calmest I have ever felt for a race. It got hard really quickly as I was away and the clock was going, but I felt strong and knew that it was going to be a good race as I was holding my line and speed really well.

Giving me confidence all the way through as I caught the rider I was up against, but it’s the time that we are after so I was pushing and flat out till the line.

It’s hard to put into words how ecstatic I felt as I looked up at the time board and saw the time saying NEW PARALYMPIC RECORD and a pb.

It reassured me that all the work was worth it and it shows that the system works in getting athletes to their best.

I knew that it was a good performance that would put me up there, but afterwards to go on and win the bronze in the 2nd ride off was something I never dreamed of.

UCI Road World Championships Zurich

Road TT C2 - Bronze

Road Race C2 - Silver

Getting aero in the Individual TT

Leading out eventual winner Alexandre Leaute of France

The Eltham rider also featured in the October edition of local magazine SEnine. (See pages 12/13 for an interview with Matthew.)

Not to mention, of course, a C2 Omnium Bronze in Rio at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in March.

What a year for Matthew.