“In terms of level, I was quickly in the middle group, but it took me a long time to really reach the top. Last year I became world champion in the time trial in Glasgow, the ultimate highlight of my top sports career.” The chance that he will also win Olympic gold at the games is smaller. “A French athlete, with a lighter handicap than ours, has come from a higher class into our class. He has already achieved podium places in that higher class, so he is going to outdo us. That doesn’t feel fair, but unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it. Silver will feel like gold to me.”