More Para16 glory for ex-F1 ace Zanardi

Former Formula One driver Alessandro Zanardi has claimed his third career gold medal at the Paralympics, in the handbike time trial.

Zanardi topped the 20km event in Rio de Janeiro, one day before the 15th anniversary of a Champ Car race in Germany in which he lost both legs in a crash.

On Thursday, Zanardi will aim for a second road race gold and on Friday is part of Italy's mixed relay handbike team.

The 49-year-old won road race and time trial golds, plus relay silver, at the 2012 Paralympics in London. He also has six world titles in the sport he started in 2007.

"Normally I don't thank God for anything. But when I reached the finish and learnt that I had won I thought that now is the time to look up at the sky," he said.

Zanardi competed in 41 F1 races between 1991 and 1999.