Alex Zanardi... Ex-driver a winner at NYC Marathon

[garyshell]

Fox Sports
Updated Nov 6, 2011 6:38 PM ET
From great tragedy is coming great triumph for one former race car driver.


Italy's Alessandro Zanardi won the New York City Marathon's handcycle division Sunday with a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes and 58 seconds.

Zanardi made his handcycle racing debut in the 2007 New York city marathon, placing fourth after only four weeks of training.

Since that debut, he's also won the 2009 Venice Marathon and 2010 Rome Marathon. His goal is to compete in the 2012 Summer Paralympics for his native Italy.

Before his handcycling career, Zanardi was best known as a race car driver, competing in Formula One and CART. Ten years ago, he lost both of his legs in a horrific racing accident that ended his open-wheel racing career.

http://static.foxsports.com/content/fscom/img/2011/11/06/110611-Athletics-Alessandro-Zanardi-PI_20111106182809147_660_320.JPG
Former driver Alex Zanardi finds success at NYC Marathon - Motor News | FOX Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com/motor/story/former-driver-alex-zanardi-finds-success-at-nyc-marathon-110611)

Forza Alessandro!

Gary

[Marbles]

Words escape me!

Fanatastic!

Do you think he could win in the IRL if the car was suited to fit him.

Fanatastic!

Do you think he could win in the IRL if the car was suited to fit him.

That's incredibly insensitive. It's called INDYCAR now.

[jimispeed]

Amazing! And, I guess we should have expected it. Congrats Alex, drink the celebratory champagne!!

Thanks Gary!!

[heliocastroneves#3]

Forza Alex!

[Nikki Katz]

Good on him. I hope he does well next year. I'm not overly bothered by the Olympics being held 50 miles away (although it has regenerated parts of London), but I would've loved to see this.

[Nikki Katz]

Fanatastic!

Do you think he could win in the IRL if the car was suited to fit him.
I wouldn't rule it out. He was in WTCC for about 4 years (he's retired now) and won numerous races against some good drivers, but was generally at the back of the midfield and was never in championship contention.

[libra65]

Incredible job alex!!!!!!

[call_me_andrew]

I could do that too if I spend 8 hours a day in the gym.

[Blancvino]

And lose your legs!

[Nem14]

I could do that too if I spend 8 hours a day in the gym.Sure you could.

Consider that most of the guys he beat do spend 8 hours a day in the gym.

Alex is a world class competitor through and through. The guy is 45 years old, and knows what it takes to win.

[maxmach]

In a world full of false promises and people.......Alex is the real deal, an inspiration, and as I read somwhere else, would make a great marshall at the I500.
Bravo Alex.