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The inspiring story of Formula One driver who took up handcycling after escaping death twice in motorsport and went on to win gold in track where he lost his legs.
Alex Zanardi is an Italian racing driver and paracyclist who is known for his remarkable achievements in both fields and his inspiring comebacks after devastating accidents.
Alex Zanardi cheated death three times but has not given up on his dreams.
Early Life
Born on October 23, 1966, in Bologna, Italy, Zanardi grew up in Castel Maggiore and began karting at age 13. He made his first kart with dustbin covers and pipes that he got from his father's workshop. His initial foray into professional racing was in the Italian Formula 3 series, where he had some success before moving up to the Formula 3000 series in 1991.
Alex Zanardi's first near death experience
During the 1993 Belgian Grand Prix weekend at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Alex Zanardi, driving for Lotus, suffered a significant crash in practice.
Zanardi lost control of his car and collided with the barriers at high speed, resulting in severe damage to the car and a concussion for the driver. This accident led to Zanardi's withdrawal from the race and impacted his season.
Despite this setback, Zanardi's career continued with challenges and eventual success in CART and handcycling, highlighting his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
The crash that claimed Alex's legs
On September 15, 2001, at the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) race in Lausitz, Alex Zanardi suffered a devastating accident that resulted in the amputation of both his legs.
Zanardi was involved in a high-speed collision when he attempted to re-enter the track after a pit stop. Patrick Carpentier, unable to swerve awa collided with Zanardi’s car, causing it to spin and crash into the barriers at a violent angle. The impact was severe, leading to catastrophic injuries.
Patrick Carpentier, unable to swerve away, collided with Zanardi’s car, causing it to spin and crash into the barriers at a violent angle. The impact was severe, leading to catastrophic injuries.
Zanardi underwent multiple surgeries to save his life, and ultimately, both legs had to be amputated. Despite this, Zanardi's determination led him to return to racing in touring cars, competing in the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) from 2003 to 2009.
Handcycling and Paracycling
Turning to handcycling, Zanardi achieved remarkable success in the Paralympics, winning multiple gold and silver medals in the 2012 and 2016 Games. He also excelled in other events, including the Ironman World Championship, where he set a world record in his category in 2018.
2020 Cycling Accident
On June 19, 2020, Zanardi was involved in a serious handcycling accident in Italy, suffering severe facial and cranial injuries. He underwent multiple surgeries and was in intensive care before eventually being transferred closer to home for ongoing rehabilitation. By late 2021, Zanardi was able to return home to continue his recovery.
Personal Life
Zanardi is married to Daniela Manni, with whom he has a son, Niccolò. He has authored several books and been featured in various media for his inspirational story and contributions to motorsport and paracycling.
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