Kenny Belaey, a nine-time trial bike world champion, has jumped out of a helicopter on his bike to mark the countdown towards this weekend's World Cyclocross Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA.
In the clip below, he takes his bike from his secure position strapped to the side of the chopper before clipping himself in, guiding the pilot towards the ground and then taking the plunge.
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“I suggested testing the course, they came by helicopter,” Belaey said. “At first as a simple drop off, but then I got it in my head to jump out. A nice idea on paper, but once those rotors above me were at full speed, it was a bit of a struggle.
"Balancing on one leg on a helicopter that goes up and down is really not obvious. Let alone push off, get feet on the pedals and land safely. Fortunately I have a lot of experience. After four attempts I had it right, so it was a really great feeling.”
The Irish team for the Worlds is comprised of elite rider Maria Larkin (Donkey Label p/b FK Law), U23s Seán Nolan (Evo Pro Racing) and Dean Harvey (VC Glendale), and juniors Liam O’Brien (Fermoy CC) and Travis Harkness (VC Glendale). They have been training at a Cycling Ireland camp in Co Louth and will start their journey to the US today, Tuesday, for the Worlds, which begin on Saturday.
