Image: Ablinger
Paralympic winner Walter Ablinger from Rainbach im Innkreis starts the racing season at the handbike half marathon on April 16 in Linz. He is in good form, says Ablinger. “My training values are currently as good as when I won the Paralympics in Tokyo.”
The first round of the World Cup is already on the program from April 20th to 23rd in Maniago/Italy, Ablinger will start there in individual time trials, road races and in the team competition. Season highlights are the World Championships in Glasgow from August 10th to 13th and a week later the European Championships from August 17th to 20th in Rotterdam. To achieve this, Ablinger has set itself the goal of top rankings.
After health problems and technical difficulties last year, Walter Ablinger has been meticulously preparing for the new racing season since the beginning of November. Over the winter, the Innviertler athlete completed 7,429 kilometers of training on the roller. There were also training units in the weight room and simulated altitude training units with a mask and hypoxia device. Ablinger has completed a training camp in Lanzarote and is currently refueling on the streets at home.
With head coach Christoph Etzlstorfer, Walter Ablinger is entering his 15th season this year. Also in the team are sports scientist Markus Kinzlbauer from Neumarkt am Wallersee, mental trainer Bernhard Streif from Zell an der Pram, physiotherapist Christoph Kohlbauer from St. Florian am Inn and PR consultant Robert Wier from Bad Schallerbach.
Support also comes from IT specialist Irmi Ablinger from St. Georgen near Grieskirchen, bicycle mechanic Erwin Sommergruber from St. Roman and handbike manufacturer Ludwig Hackinger from St. Georgen near Obernberg.
Source: Nachrichten
