Zanardi claims Para-cycling world title!

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Alex Zanardi successfully defended his world championship crown in the men's hand-cycle time trial at the Para-cycling world championships in South Africa this week.

The former F1 driver and living legend, who lost his legs in a horror IndyCar crash in 2001, took up competition in hand-cycling in 2011, winning gold medals at the London Paralympics the following year.

The living legend and BMW brand Ambassador clinched his ninth world title in his Para-cycling career.

The time trial was the first of three competitions that Zanardi is taking part in at the Pietermaritzburg world championships.

The para-athletes completed three laps on a 7.75 kilometer long circuit, a total distance of 23.3 kilometers.

Zanardi continued where he had finished at the previous world championships held in Switzerland two years ago – with winning ways.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.