By Nick Butler

Two time London 2012 gold medal winner Alex Zanardi was on top form on home roads in Italy ©Getty ImagesTwo-time London 2012 champion Alex Zanardi was on fine form during the first round of the International Cycling Union (UCI) Para-cycling Road World Cup in Castiglione Della Pescaia, as he won both gold medals in his MH5 hand-cycling class. 


Zanardi, a 47-year-old former Formula One driver who suffered a horrifying crash in 2001 resulting in the amputation of both of his legs, dominated the time trial and then formed part of a breakaway in the road race, before sprinting clear of his rivals in the final 500 metres. 

This ensured that he repeated the golden double he secured at London 2012, when he also won a silver medal in the team relay. 

"It was a great but tough race, so winning like this, at 47, means a lot to me," said Zanardi, an "honorary citizen" of Castiglione, afterwards.

"My fellow escapees were of a very high level and I knew that the sprint would be tricky.

"This is why I decided to attack at the very last minute in order to avoid any bad surprises."

Zanardi completed a fine three days for Italy in which the host nation finished top of the medals table with six gold medals in a total haul of 17.

But there was much international success as well in Tuscany and, of the 36 participating nations, 25 won at least one medal.

The United States finished second in the medals table after also winning six gold medals in a total of 12, with Shawn Morelli leading the way by winning both events in the WC4 category.

Germany finished third with three gold medals, while other individuals to secure double gold included Canadians Marie-Eve Croteau and Shelley Gautier in their respective WT2 and WT1 divisions, and Lora Turnham of Great Britain in the tandem event for visually impaired competitors, along with guide Corrine Hall.

Unlike Alex Zanardi, Britain's Lora Turnham missed out on medals at London 2012, but she matched him with double gold in Italy ©Getty ImagesUnlike Alex Zanardi, Britain's Lora Turnham missed out on medals at London 2012, but she matched him with double gold in Italy ©Getty Images





In front of raucous home fans the World Cup, which began on Friday (May 9) before finishing today, was the first major road competition of 2014 following the World Championships on the track, held in Aguascalientes in Mexico last month.

"We had no doubt about the success of the event" said Renato Di Rocco, President of the Italian Cycling Federation and a member of the UCI Management Committee.

"We have worked in full cooperation with the municipal administration and everything looks perfect to me.

"I am also amazed by the popular attraction of the event."

The next round of the road World Cup series will take place in in Cantimpalos, Spain from July 25 to 27.