IAN MARSDEN - HAND CYCLING - UK NUMBER ONE

I suffered a spinal injury, which resulted in me becoming wheelchair bound. Since then I dreamed of competing at international level again and discovered handcycling. This enables wheelchair bound athletes to cycle at high speeds in specially-designed handcycles. These use upper body power and arm strength to steer and race the bikes. I have raced handbikes internationally for over seven years, representing Great Britain on many occasions.
Handcycling is very big in Europe, and has its own European Handcycling Circuit (EHC). This circuit consists usually of up to 10 races around Europe, and you will often see over 150 riders on the start line.
I competed annually in the EHC races, and raced for a Czech Based Team for 5 years, consisting of a Paralympic Gold medallist Marcel Pipeck. I have been consistently in the top 5 riders on the European Circuit in the C Division. One of my best results came in Milan in 2007 when I came 3rd in the World Handcycling Federation World Championships. This was the first time a rider from the UK had been on the

Podium in a World Championships and EHC race. This success continued later in the same year when I won the British EHC race which was part of the opening of the Tour de France in London.
I was Number One in the UK, winning the National Time Trial Championships and gaining the National Leader’s Jersey for the second consecutive year. Also winning many other UK races including the Grand prix series: ten gruelling road races and time trials around the UK.
I was taken into Hospital for a while at the end of 2010. When I went into Hospital for what I thought was a prolapse on my neck I found out a lot more. I’ve been diagnosed with a rare Motor Neurone type condition which affects my legs, brain and arms. After my diagnosis I had surgery on my neck, having metal plates and a carbon cage put in to rebuild the damage to the cervical spine.
I am no longer doing competitive Handcycling due to the muscle loss and power in my arms.