Rico Morneau Paralympian

Bogota Colombia Training Camp

2012-03-03T18:43:00.003-05:00

Hi, just to let every one know that training in Columbia is going very well. The weather is nice for riding, the gym is great. Have been doing some nice climbs and the cyclist around here are just wonderful. Will be going to Roseneau France in April to race the best in the world of handcycling.

Pan Am Games Gaurdalajara Mexico 2011

2011-11-26T11:22:00.006-05:00

Bronze at Panam Games. For this late in the season it is acceptable, 4th in road race. My arms were very tired, gave all I had left. The athletes village was great. Mexico did a very nice job receiving us. The coarse downtown was very rough, never bounced around so much, but the city center was beautiful. Now a very deserved rest, then back to training for next year. Will be off to Columbia for winter training.

Worlds 2011 Roskilde (DEN)

2011-09-21T17:52:00.002-04:00

Sorry for not writing before but Worlds 2011 was not that good. It was a big disappointment for me. I trained very hard , by the book, I sacrificed so much. Canada Team made a lot of mistakes and I ended paying for it. We arrived one day before Worlds to put our bikes together and do a fast loop of the coarse. We did not have time to recuperate from jet lag. The training camp before departure over trained me. We were put 1 hour away from the venue , so much traveling and so on. The coach admitted his errors but that did not give me my Medals. Worse is I even lost my grants for the year. I will have to struggle financially to make it to the Games in London. I finished top 10 in Time Tail, did not finish road race and the relay was canceled for Canada Team. I needed some time to absorb all this. I heard that a great sportsman is judged not by the hits he gives but rather by how he can get up after being hit. I am back to training preparing for Pan am Games in Mexico this November.

STS Nutrition!!!!

2011-08-01T16:41:00.002-04:00

STS Sport Nutrition, a ONE STOP for serious Athlets!!!!

World Cup Baie Comeau Québec

2011-07-14T20:32:00.003-04:00

World Cup Baie Comeau last weekend. It was a hard coarse with intermitent rain but I am still happy with the resaults. Bronze Medal in Team Time Trial, we lost Silver by 6 seconds. 4 th in road race that finished in a sprint between the 4th and 5th possision, 6th in time trial. For this very hilly coarse over all I'm Glad. Now rest and prepare for Worlds in Denmark next September.

Canadian Championships 2011, 7 Time Canadian Champ!!!

2011-07-03T10:14:00.002-04:00

Just back from Nationals, 7 Time Canadian Camp!!!

I was in good shape, time trial was very hard being in the hills, up and down. I finished 1st in my category by over one min.

Then the road race was yesterday , Saturday. It was very hot and our race was delayed, so sitting in the heat was not very fun.

In the 2nd turn of a 5 turn race me and a H3 took off and did the race together. They mixed all categories.

I finished 1st in my category and very happy with Nationals one more year.

Next weekend World Cup Baie Comeau Québec.

Drummondville Triathlon

2011-06-20T14:18:00.002-04:00

This weekend was the Drummondville Triathlon. I raced for Chaussure Mille-Pattes winning Gold. I had a great team. I raced the 20kl TT passing many riders over 40kl per hour, they did not imagine that a arm ridden bike could go that fast. It filled in my calender giving me a good training for the Nationals next week , then World Cup Baie Comeau the week later. It just proves that If you want you can and it is not a handicap that will slow you down.

Top End Force X

2011-05-22T18:48:00.002-04:00

Just came back with my new Force X from Top End. I think it is the best bike on the market this year. It's lite , stiff and corners really well. It was built to my measures, I melt into it. This will be a big piece in my success this year.

First UCI races of the year!!

2011-05-09T18:43:00.003-04:00

The first UCI races of the year have started. There was 3 in Montreal and 2 in Sydney Australia. I did very well in Montreal winning 1st place in Blainville, 1st place in TT on the Gille villeneuve race track and 2nd on the same track at road race. The season is strating off very well. Then I packed my bike and left the next day for Australia, the flight was long and I raced upon my arrival. I did not recuperate well and finished 5th at the sprint for 4th place, the USA guy hit my back wheel to brake me down to get the advantage, what a loser! Then there was the TT where I finished 7th having no more arms to push. I was a bit disapionted with the Sydney races but I expected that with all the races before and the trip. Now I am off to Ottawa where I was invited by the Olympic commity for a 3 day conferance because they beleave I am a good contender for Medals in London 2012, all the Elite athelets in there division were invited. Once back home, training for Nationals and World Cup in Baie Comeau.

Bogota Columbia Training

2010-12-19T21:02:00.005-05:00

I have been training and racing in Bogota Columbia. I am very impressed to see how this country is so involved into para-sports. People in wheelchair have very active lives. I see them everywhere, on the sidewalks, in the gym, shopping in the big centers. They do not lock themselves into there houses. It is a pleasure to be training amongst you. Here are some pics of this wonderful place. This weekend Gold for Me, in crit on Bogata roads!!!

Sponsors!!!

2010-11-17T09:56:00.005-05:00

With my winter training around the corner, I want to thank my Major Sponsors and sponsors for the help they are giving me achieve my Goals, 2012 London. Thanks!!!
This year I will be training in Bogota Columbia, at an altitude of 2600m. I think this will help greatly my performance for the coming year.

Défi 2011 Baie Comeau.wmv

2010-10-19T15:16:00.000-04:00

Worlds Baie Comeau 2010

2010-08-25T12:24:00.004-04:00

Worlds 2010 Baie Comeau Québec. The hardest Paracycling race in the world. I'm a bit disappionted of my resaults, 12th time trail ,13th road race. It was a coarse for the smaller buys. The winners wieghed 30 lbs littler, no way to compete, the hill was to steep and could not be climbed in strenght, so wieght was a facture. It was a beautiful event, well organized especially that the organizers had 6 months to prepare and the sun was with us. I'm happy to here that the World's next year will be in Denmark on a flat course, as well the Paralympic Games 2012 giving me a very good chance for Gold. Now 1 week rest eating all I want, mmmmmmm. I will see with my finance , maybe a race on the European circuit this fall. Thanks for all your support.

Canadian Nationals

2010-07-06T08:57:00.003-04:00

Canadian Champ for my 6th year in a row. Nice and hot. It was a good weekend for me, a nice preparation for Worlds coming up in August. All races were in hard hills, the time trail was a 20kl circuit with 2 ten kl loops. I started strong being the fastest rider on the first loop but my arms bonked out on the 2nd, finishing 2nd in my category by 12 sec. The road race was great, but very hard, 40kl with 8 five kl loops. There was a 2 kl climb every loop. I attacked at the start and over lapped everybody by the end of the race, my arms felt great. Now a couple of days off, then to Baie Comeau for a training camp with the Canadian Team.

World Cup, Segovia Spain

2010-06-15T12:43:00.002-04:00

Back from a cold and rainy World Cup. The weather was not with us, we had to race in cold and rainy conditions. I bring back a Silver Medal on the team time trail. The course was very hilly with lots of cornering. Then came the road race , poring rain at the start line with wet cobblestones on the course, nice combination. I even went though a puddle of water that looked more like a lake. I was blocked just before the sprint and lost the 3 riders that were in front. Had to make a 1 1/2 kl sprint for the line in no mans land finishing 6 th. And finally, 4th at the time trail, very fast course with a dragging section. Canadians in 2 weeks.

2010-05-17T07:20:00.002-04:00

Hello, back from the time trail of hell.
May 15th, Schenkon Swiss was the hardest time trail of my life. It was 6 degree's under a poring sky, a 21 kl time trail around the lake on a rolling circuit. I had to do my warm-up in the cold rain, by then I was frozen at my start. It was raining so much that I had trouble to see the road causing me to put the brakes a couple of time taking away the podium from me. I finished 5 th, all the top in the world were at the venue. Next race June,World Cup in Spain.

Défi Sportif Montreal

2010-05-08T21:14:00.005-04:00

No pic for the moment, so an old one will do.

DÉfi Sportif MTL, another win for me. Winning the time trail in my category was nice being the first races here in Canada. The road race was exiting, the riders have trained hard last winter. The race was a 48kl race under a nice worm climate. It took 25 kl to be able to make a split, I had to attack after attack, finally the bake, then it was an Ontarian and I till the line. The officials made a mix up with the bell so we had to sprint two times. I wasn't very happy with that. The out come was the same, I was the Best. Next race Swiss on the 15th of May.

Roseneau France 2010

2010-04-07T07:30:00.005-04:00

Great race Roseneau France. It was cold, cloudy with a couple of rain drops. The race was very fast, Vitorio, Malouf and I were running the race. We were not able to brake up the 20 riders that had fallowed the brake away. This is on a flat course with some turn around, very dangerous race, bikes hitting one another every so often. I was on the straight away riding 45 kl hr and thought I could make it to the line, but 100meters from the finish I was caught and finished 11th running out of power at sprint. I am very happy with my race braking the circuit time by over one minute. I raced 44kl in 1:08.40. next race Swiss. I will have to use less muscle and more brains next race.

Race George SA

2010-02-22T05:53:00.004-05:00

Just returned from the race in George South Africa. It was a hot day, 34 degres. The road was rough with some cornering, lost some time because they had us pass in a parking where the major sponsor had his venue. 10.5 false climb, 10.5 desent, 2 loops. I attact from the begining riding the 42kl coarse as a time trial in 1:12.57. I finished 1st place with a Gold Medle, 2nd was Stuart from SA, 3rd Keni from Irland. It was well organized, lots of midea and toped off with a big party afterwards. Shape whise I'm where I want to be, ready for my next race in Roseneau France on the 3rd of April.

South Africa Training

2010-01-26T06:05:00.000-05:00

RICO MORNEAU UPDATE: "Had a race this weekend in South Africa next to Stellenbosch with the SA team. I won the 16kl hilly course in 26.48. The guys are wonderful around here. The sport complex I'm liveing in is great."

Cuba Training, 2009

2010-01-02T10:32:00.004-05:00

Cuba training 2009 was great. The weather was perfect, the people wonderful. It was nice to have my girlfriend there for 2 weeks. I feel great and bringing my shape for the next year up to par. 2010, off to South Africa to finish my winter training. I wish everybody a Happy New Year.

London 2012 Paralympic Games

2009-10-02T09:56:00.002-04:00

London 2012 Paralympic Games

Thanks for your interest in my career. London 2012 is around the corner. There is a big price tag to this achievment, so if you can help me out please send a donatoin to 1 Alpherie-Beaulieu #2 Sainte Martine Québec, J0S1V0. Or use the PayPal DONATE button on the right. Thanks of being part of my Success.

Paracycling Worlds Bogono Italy

2009-09-15T06:32:00.008-04:00

Finishing another year of training and racing on a good note, Bronze Medal at the Worlds In Bogono Italy. I had a great year, will be taking a couple of weeks to relax before starting another year of awesome racing. The weather was nice all week, the course pretty hilly. I had 3 races, TT 20 kl was hard, felt my arms were not up to par finishing 9th. Road race 60 kl it was fast and exiting but noticed that in the hills the lighter climbers had an advantage after the 5th climb, so finished 10th. Then was the TTT where I finished Bronze Medal, I did the 2nd fastest time after Manfred Putz from Austria in my category. The plan for next year is to lose another 14 pounds to be able to climb like a mountain goat. Thanks to all my sponsors to permit me to achieve my performances, if it was not for you I could not go on. THANK-YOU!

Québec Championships

2009-08-09T20:14:00.004-04:00

Gold all the way!!!!!!!!!! The time trail was in Mandeville Quebec, the circuit was around the Lake Maskinonger; Very hilly. I won by 3 min to my closest rival Mark Beggs who was mad and did not stay for the Medal ceremonies. Then the road race in Saint Lazare, went very well. I started off with the group to encourage them and then took off for the last 13 kl as a time trail.

Piacenza International Paracycling Cup Italy

2009-07-28T05:58:00.005-04:00

Back from two exiting races in Piacenza International Paracycling Cup Italy. The Crit was hot and hard, ruining 20 laps making a 48 kl race. I and Vitorio took off early in the race, finishing at the sprint. I lost by one sec. I started the sprint to early and choked at the end. Then the time trial, it was a 20 kl loop with about 10 corners and some up hills. It was fast haft the way, on the return a false up flat with a good wind. I train in the wind often in Saint Martine, so it helped me stay concentrated. I finish 27 sec before the second rider, Vitorio Podesta, Silver Medalist in China Last year so GOLD FOR Me,,,,,,,,yessssssssssssss. Now a little rest before the Worlds in Bogono Italy in September.

Louny Race Czech

2009-07-14T02:23:00.007-04:00

The top in the world were here in Louny Czech. It was a 15kl UCI Time Tial. Up and down circuit with a head wind on the way back. Well rested and felt good during the race. I was very Happy when they announced my Silver Medal. Next Race in Italy on the 24, 25 July.

Canadian Championships

2009-07-06T19:40:00.005-04:00

Back from the Nationals in Beauce Québec as Canadian Champ in Road and Time Trial.
I whipped everybody butts. It was a cool weekend with a bit of rain. I felt strong, I won with over 1 min in time trail and close to 5 min in road race. Being a hilly circuit I thought I might work a bit harder, but I guess the weight I lost had a good effect on my performance. Next race Louny Cezch 11, 12, /07.

Race Oenssingen Suisse

2009-06-15T16:51:00.003-04:00

Just back from an exiting race in Oensingen Suisse. There was over 150 riders, 55 in my category. The weather was nice but there was a strong wind making thing a bit harder. It was a 70kl race, four other cyclist and I attacked 20kl before the finished. We attacked in a head on wind. There was just three of us working, the two German guys were drafting in back. The Suisse rider took off on his own 5 kl before the end leaving me and the Italian to do all the work. It finished at the sprint with the German riders all rested up, I landed the fourth position and Vitorio the Italian guy 5th. The second group of riders arrived over 2minutes after us. I would like to thank my Sponsors for permiting me to participate in this event, espeacialy GoodLeaf's Auto Parts.

Granby Race

2009-05-10T16:40:00.003-04:00

Raced a time trail in Granby Québec, another Gold; yessssssssss. It was a rainy day , I felt good and well prepared. The road was pretty banged-up and the 18o degree turn did not help my average but I won by 39 seconds on my closest rival.

Défi Sportif

2009-05-04T07:59:00.003-04:00

Back from a weekend of racing in the context of the Défi Sportif. It was a cold and windy one, but no rain; a change from past years. I won all 3 races, it was a had start. The 2 first races my body had to adjust to the colder weather on account of my training in Cuba all winter. I won them both but Mark Beggs my closest rival gave me a good run. The 3rd race was a bit warmer, my body was well tuned and I won by 1min 7sec cruising down the Gille Villneuve Circuit crossing the finish line at 43kl hr. I won the overall making me the Défi Champ for the 4th year in a row, not bad for a 46 year old Man. So if any of my readers think they are to old to continue to keep in shape, I hope I can give you some motivation. Granby Race next week.

Training camp in Cuba

2009-04-16T11:07:00.009-04:00

I'm back from 4 months of training in Cuba. I want to thank my sponsors for there help, giving me the opportunity of have quality training and making me a better Athlete. It's nice to be back. Training went very well, met some very nice cyclists on the way, specially Sylviane a lovely person whom I'm going out with now. I'm ready for another year of Racing. Here are some pics of people I met in Cuba.

Race Val D'oixo Spain

2008-12-16T04:07:00.006-05:00

Dec 14th I had a race in Val D'oixo Spain. The top contenders of the World were there. It was sunny and 14 degrees. I was in very good shape for this time of the year and pulled most of the race with some attacts. I won the Bronze Medal beating the Silver medalist in China, Vitorio Podesta. We all had a good time seeing each other again, the final dinner paid by the organizer in a cave restaurant was wonderful closing off this race with a smile.

I'm off to train in Cuba for the winter on Dec. 19 till April 11, to start another great year of racing.

My Travels

2008-10-23T21:27:00.001-04:00

Cycling Friends

2008-10-23T20:55:00.001-04:00

Life After!!

2008-10-20T18:06:00.002-04:00

I was left paraplegic after a car accident in 2003. Life goes on, to prove it to my self, 3 month after my accident I went traveling to Paris France. I said if I can live there I can live anywhere. That next year I tied everything imaginable, from traveling, winter camping to building an adapted Motorcycle. I started handbike racing and today I'm the Canadian Champion, 9th at the Paralympic Games in China. So if some one wants to tell you, you can't do it, don't believe him, lol.

Canadian Champion

2008-10-20T17:59:00.000-04:00

I'm Canadian Champion. This year was a very good year for me. I started off my year training in Spain for the winter, on my return I won the 3 races in the Défi Sportif here in Montreal. I won the Canadian Championships, Quebec Championships and finished 9th at the Paralympic Games in China. Being 1st here in Canada and 9th in the world is a pretty good start for me.

Paralympic Games

2008-10-20T17:25:00.000-04:00

These were my first Paralympic Games. I finished 9th position in both races, Time Trial and Road Race. It was a hard circuit, very hilly. The lighter bodied had a good advantage. We were received as Kings, it was very well organized. I am training now for the Games in London, 2012.