Canyon Lake para-cyclist competes in World Cup

BY Aprile McKinnon

Canyon Lake’s Michael Davis competed in the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup last week in Huntsville, Alabama and came away with an 8th Place finish.

Michael competes in the T2 Trike Event where the cyclist rides a three-wheel bike. His 8th Place finish in the 14.6 km Time Trial was 25 minutes 28.70 seconds, two minutes 16.69 seconds behind 1st Place USA teammate Dennis Connors.

He finished the 36.3 km Road Race competition in 10th Place with a time of 1:06:33, three minutes behind the leader.

In the Time Trial race, despite one mishap, Michael said there were two significant improvements worth noting.

Firstly, his average speed of 21.35 miles per hour was the fastest he had ever gone in a race. The speed improvement reflected his dedication and progress in his cycling skills, he said.

Secondly, in a previous World Cup race held in Belgium two weeks ago, Michael had secured the 10th position, but this time he managed to improve his performance and secure the 8th position. It was a notable step forward for Michael and showed his determination to excel and move up the rankings.

Michael’s Road Race did not go as expected, but turned out okay in the end. Michael, an avid trike racer, had prepared diligently for the race, but he encountered a unique challenge due to his trike’s unconventional design. Unlike the traditional trikes, Michaels has two front wheels, which adds a distinct dynamic to the competition.

The Road Race is known for its intense racing and strategic drafting techniques, where racers take turns in the front of the pack to reduce wind resistance for those who follow. However, during the Road Race last weekend, Michael faced an unexpected incident.

Another cyclist in the race attempted to overtake him, but misjudged the distance, leading to a collision between their wheels. The impact caused Michael to lose control of his trike, resulting in a crash.

Fortunately, Michael escaped the accident with relatively minor injuries. He suffered a chest contusion and several cuts, but nothing too severe, he said. His trike, though, suffered a setback as the chain fell off. His support team swiftly arrived in the follow car and managed to get him back on track within a span of approximately 3 to 4 minutes.

Despite finding himself significantly behind the other racers, Michael said he remained determined to make the most of the situation. He set his sights on overtaking at least one competitor before reaching the finish line.

With the absence of drafting, a crucial aspect of the Road Race, Michael had to rely solely on his own strength and perseverance. Pushing himself to the limit, he displayed an incredible level of determination.

Against the odds, he managed to surpass four competitors and secured a respectable 10th place finish. The narrow gap between him and the race winner was a mere three minutes and one second. After the 3 World Cups this year, Michael pulled away #12 out of 22. “Not too shabby for my first year seriously in the game and only competing in 2 of the 3 World Cups. “ said Michael. “USA got #2 in the world at Huntsville for our 22 medals.”

Looking ahead, Michael’s focus is shifted to his next race, which holds significant importance as a qualifier for the National Championships. Scheduled for June 14 in Janesville, Wisconsin, this upcoming event represents a golden opportunity for Michael to secure a spot in the prestigious National Championships.

Undeterred by his recent setback, Michael remains resolute and dedicated to delivering his best performance. He hopes to qualify for the championship, continuing his pursuit of racing success and proving that setbacks are mere stepping stones to greater achievements. Michael leaves next week for Wisconsin to qualify for the World Championships.