Aberdeen’s Neil Fachie has completed a stunning transition from running to cycling by winning a World Cup silver medal in his first competitive event.

Fachie, who competed for Team GB on the athletics track in last summer’s Beijing Olympics, has kept his change to track cycling largely under wraps since he made the switch last autumn.

He had been due to compete in his first bike race last weekend at Newcastle under Lyme but the event was rained off. 

Bitterly disappointed but undeterred, 24-year-old Fachie, a visually impaired competitor, called the British team coach to ask if there was a space left in his team for this week’s Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

The coach was understandably reluctant to add a complete novice to the team but gave Fachie the opportunity to prove himself in a time trial.

In a bizarre turn of events Fachie and tandem pilot Dave Readle impressed with their time trial, were recruited for the team and won the silver medal in the Kilo and sprint.  As debuts go it doesn’t get much better. 

“I’m finding it hard taking it all in,” said a stunned Fachie.  “It’s really bizarre being part of a new team but it seems to be working so far and I’m sure we will improve a lot in the future.”

Fachie’s whirlwind cycling career began shortly after his return from the Beijing Paralympics.    At the time he was British Champion in the 100, 200 and 400 metres T13 visually impaired category but felt he was nearing his potential as a runner.

“I’m only 5’4” and in athletics that is a problem when everyone you are competing against is 6’4”,” said the Grampian Institute of Sport supported athlete.

“I knew in Beijing I was probably never going to medal in athletics in a Paralympics and I met a couple of people who recommended I could be well suited to being on the back of a tandem. 

“Being short on a bike is quite useful in certain ways and I’ve always enjoyed watching cycling on television.

“I went to Manchester to do a taster session and happened to bump into Craig McLean, who was training to become a pilot.  We got chatting, then I went on a trial day and it went from there.

“I’ve got the power from athletics and although there is a lot more to come I feel I have the natural ability to be cyclist.”