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Injury meets engineering at Warrior Games cycling events

Posted at 5:42 PM, Jun 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-06 19:42:35-04

A key element of the Warrior Games on Wednesday was adaption. Cycling is the event of the day. Heat and then lightning forced a hold for some events and the competitors had to wait. “The adaptive equipment is amazing,” said Eric Lintelmann with Team Army. When on the course the key adaption is to the bicycles.

Engineering and design adapt the bikes for maximized function. “They’re pretty much specific, injury specific,” said Ronnie Jimenez a former competitor and now coach for Team Marines. An athlete with a prosthetic can have it matched to pedals. Those who have limited leg function can us recumbent bike with hand cranks.

 Injuries do not take away a warriors desire to take on challenges. Pointing to his recumbent bike, Lintelmann, says it is great for racing. “I can’t do pushups, but I can run that thing pretty fast. These guys they aren’t going to run again, but they can crank the snot out of this thing,” The bikes are built for speed.  “I’ve seen athletes that are just insane fast on them. It’s beautiful to watch,” said Jimenez