PARALYMPIC hopeful Joe Allen has kicked off his season with a bang after he sealed national duathlon honours at the Rockingham Race Circuit in Corby.

The 27-year-old, who was born without his right hand, saw off a field of around 50 other competitors to claim the title, despite falling off his bike in the transition area.

The duathlon, which takes the format of a distance run, cycle and another run, is part of the Bridport ace’s preparations for the upcoming triathlon season. “It was the culmination of all of my winter training, you are almost anxious of how it’s gone or what shape you are in going into it,” he said.

“The conditions were horrendous, some of the other races were actually shortened. There were 27 mile-per-hour winds which are never easy when you are on a bike.”

The athlete, who lives in West Bay, is targeting a triathlon berth in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, after missing out the 1,500m qualifying time for London 2012 by four seconds.

He said: “I have competed for Great Britain in triathlon over the 2013 season but decided to take the 2014 season out of competition to concentrate on my swimming.

“My next event is the British Triathlon Championships in Llanelli on May 16. Until then I will be working hard with my two swim coaches Ian Mortimer and Tracy Clarke. They have both volunteered their time to completely reform my swimming and I owe them a great deal.”

If all goes to plan for Allen, he will then go on to the World Triathlon Championships in Chicago later in the season – a test event for Rio. And to aid him on his quest to Brazil, the Bridport ace has issued a plea to help with his equipment.

“I am currently still racing on a road bike which puts me at a significant disadvantage in such a competitive field,” he added. “A time trial bike would allow me to compete with the best in the world but they can cost from £4,000 to £5,000.”

If you would like to sponsor Allen, you can contact him on 07745645390 or visit his page crowdfunder.co.uk/paralympic-dream