By Gary Anderson

January 26 - David Weir powered his way to a dramatic win in the Australia Day 10km race in Sydney ©Getty Images Britain's David Weir proved to be the party-pooper in Sydney today as he took the Australia Day 10 kilometres title in dramatic fashion to deny home favourite Kurt Fearnley an unprecedented tenth consecutive victory in the race.

Six-time Paralympic champion Weir had finished second in his previous two appearances in the event at Circular Quay but was not to be denied this time.

His maiden victory looked to be slipping away though as he entered the home straight trailing triple Paralympic champion Fearnley.

The man known as "Weirwolf" dug deep however and produced a stunning last 100 metres to reel in his great rival and pip him at the line by less than a second, to finish in a time of 21min 30sec.

"I do feel a bit bad for Kurt, but it's racing," said Weir, who edged out Fearnley in equally dramatic fashion during the T54 5,000m race at London 2012.

"You just want to beat the people in front of you and that is what I did today.

"I'm really chuffed.

"This is one of the most iconic wheelchair races around the world.

"'I've come second here twice and I was really hoping this year would be my year."

Kurt Fearnley missed out on a 10th successive victory in Sydney on Australia Day ©Getty Images Kurt Fearnley missed out on a 10th successive victory in Sydney on Australia Day
©Getty Images
























Fearnley, 32, was understandably disappointed after missing out on the chance to complete a decade of dominance in the event but acknowledged Weir is one of the toughest racers out there.

"It is hard to take, but what do you do?" said the four-time world champion.

"You get back up and you have another crack.

"That is what Australia Day is about.

"Being resilient and showing grit is what Australians do best.

"And when you go through a bit of a rough patch, you just keep fighting.

"I knew he had a game plan to hold on to my back wheel, but I was hoping I had done enough for him to have disappeared.

"I was just gritting my teeth and hoping that I was hurting him more than I was hurting and that I'd be able to get away.

"But that just wasn't the case.

"It's a weird feeling."

Switzerland's Marcel Hug completed the big three finish in the men's race,while on the women's side his compatriot Manuela Schar took the title in impressive fashion, finishing in a time of 26:17 well clear of defending champion Madison de Rozario of Australia and Britain's Shelley Woods.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
September 2013: Weir and Woods make it a British one-two at the Great North Run
September 2013: Fearnley among quartet of former champions confirmed for New York City wheelchair marathon
April 2013: Weir inducted into Great North Run Hall of Fame
September 2012: Weir's fourth gold and Woods' silver confirm hosts as third in medals table
September 2012: Wheelchair race ace Weir sets Olympic Stadium alight with stunning 5,000m victory