Harley has eyes on paralympics
NOTHING can stop former Biloela boy Harley Quinlan.
Only 18 months after a motocross accident that left him paralysed from the chest down, Harley is off to Europe with the Australian Paracycling team.
Harley was a promising motocross star, being a member of the GYTR Rockstar Yamaha racing team, and finished third in the under-19s class of MX Nationals, when he had a training accident.
Now Harley, who is living in Morayfield, has the 2016 Paralympics in his sights.
Earlier this week Harley left for Europe where he will travel with the Australian Paracycling team to different European championships as a development athlete.
Harley's mother, Donna, said he would travel with the team for 23 days visiting Switzerland, France and Barcelona to promote young Paralympians.
"He was a bit nervous before he left," Donna said.
Donna said Harley was now working five days a week and training full-time.
"He gets up at 4am every morning and either goes to the gym or for a cycle and whatever he did in the morning he does the opposite in the afternoon. So he has a very full schedule.
"We are very proud of him."
Donna said although Harley had a long way to go she had no doubt he would be ready for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.
"He is still a long way behind race-wise because it is based on time.
"A lot of the guys he races against have been in wheelchairs for a long time.
"But at the end of the day he is still an athlete and loves to compete.
"And he hates to lose.
"If determination is anything to go by he will be there."
Harley's quick success in paracycling is no surprise for Donna.
When Donna spoke to the Central Telegraph in December 2010, just a month after his accident, she said her son would excel at something once he settled into his new life. Harley is now proving his mother right.
