A HANDCYCLIST has endured a tough week of racing as he bids to earn a place in the GB team to compete at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Pencarreg’s Luke Jones completed three races in Belgium representing Great Britain after a long break from racing due to Covid restrictions.

The 37-year-old finished fourth in the Paracycling Classics Ronde 84km road race in Flanders on 2 May, a race he used as a warm-up for the UCI Paracycling Road World Cup in Ostend a few days later.

The former double British champion, who had been training for a year with no races held during Covid restrictions, finished 17th in the time trial and 21st in the road race at the World Cup.

Luke, who was paralysed in a road traffic accident 18 years ago, said: “Initially I was disappointed with my finish positions at the World Cups but looking at how close the time trial was I feel I’m making the steps I need to move closer to the podium.

“The World Cup road race was very tough. With 44 athletes on the start we went into the first dead turn, at approximately 8km as a group of 25-30 the front of my bike caught the back of an Austrian athlete and it knocked me off line.

“I chased hard but with a cross headwind I was not going to close the gap.

“I spent the rest of the race either alone or working with a Russian and Slovakian athlete.

“It was a pretty lonely road race on my own but I finished with a smile on my face.

“I’m looking forward now to getting back home to see my family.”

Speaking before heading off to Belgium, Luke said: “With the Tokyo Paralympics just around the corner I expect to see the best version of everyone.

“My hope is to do enough to impress the British team to choose me for the Europeans and the World Championships in June/July which will be my last chance to get picked for Tokyo.”