Paralympics: Cyclist Ewoud Vromant wins first medal for Belgium

Cyclist Ewoud Vromant has on Friday won the first medal for Belgium at the Paralympic Games in Paris. The 40-year-old from East Flanders took the silver medal in the 3km pursuit (C2 class) competition. The winner of the final was French defending champion Alexandre Léauté.

Vromant was almost three seconds behind after one km, but kept the gap down afterwards. The Belgian eventually finished in a time of 3:28.062, two seconds slower than 23-year-old Léauté (3:26.015).

British cyclist Matthew Robertson (3:30.497) took home the bronze medal. He was over three seconds faster than Japan's Shota Kawamoto (3:33.488) in the battle for third place.

In qualifying earlier on Friday, Vromant set the second fastest time with 3:27.640. With that, he briefly held the Paralympic record, before Léauté improved his time by three seconds. Vromant's previous personal record dated from March at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro (3:32.072).

Vromant is also aiming for gold in the road time trial next Wednesday in Paris.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Belgian cyclist Ewoud Vromant celebrates after winning the silver medal in the 3km pursuit (C2 class) competition at the Paralympic Games in Paris, 30 August 2024 © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR}