Luker Storms to Mini-Marathon Victory

Welsh wheelchair racer Daniel Lucker stormed home to victory in the London Mini Wheelchair Marathon on Sunday – to the applause of racing greats Tanni Grey Thompson and Chris Hallum.
Now, the 15-year-old – who is mentored by Hallam – is aiming to build on his success and to echo his heroes:
“I’ve been given great advice by both Chris and Tanni and hope to one day be as successful. This is definitely my biggest achievement on the road to date.”
Lucker completed the three-mile route in an excellent 13min 10. Despite his young age, he demonstrated first-class tactical skills, out-manoeuvring arch-rival and race favourite Mickey Bushell – a GB international who is almost three years older than Lucker.
The teenager, who hopes to compete in London 2012, today looked back on his triumph:
“I was feeling slightly nervous but quietly confident after all the work I had put in. Chris was great and really kept me calm and motivated. Then, the adrenalin set in once I was in my racing chair and out on the road warming up.
“I started down the opposite end of the line to Mickey but could see him out of the corner of my eye. When the start gun went Mickey went off quite slow – he was probably expecting me to take off. I didn’t want to do this because he would easily have got into my draft which would
make it easier on him,” he adds.
“It turned into a tactical race with both me and Mickey still together until around the two mile mark. I was pushing well, over 20mph at times. It was on a really steep uphill when the speeds dropped dramatically to three mph that I could see Mickey dropping off. I took the opportunity and made the break!” Lucker is now in training for the Junior World Championships in New Jersey in July. He is supported by the Disability Sport Wales Academy which nurtures and cultivates young talent.