‘Inspirational’ Plymouth doctor defies disability after stroke to clinch World championship cycling title

A Plymouth doctor who had a severe stroke which left him with a range of physical difficulties has amazed his family and friends by winning a gruelling international cycling challenge on his recumbent bike.

Jimmy Hubbard’s achievements have been described as “inspirational” by the Stroke Association, a charity which supports stroke survivors across Devon.

Jimmy was a keen cyclist before he had his stroke almost six years ago when he was just 30 years old.

He switched to a recumbent ICE trike and found he could excel on three wheels, though he has to strap his ‘shaky arm’, and uses one hand to control the bike including steering, braking and changing gears.

Two years ago, Jimmy completed a journey of 1,000 miles from Roscoff in northern France to Santander in Spain.

Now he’s claimed victory against able-bodied competitors in his class in the Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) World Championships at Lake Maggiore, Italy.

The challenge, in a recumbent trike class for men aged 18-50, comprised 100 and 400 metre sprints, a gruelling two-hour endurance road race and a three-kilometre hill climb with a gradient of 4%.

Jimmy is already looking forward to competing in next year’s championships which will be held in Maastricht, Netherlands. In the meantime, he is training and competing in races in UK - the HPV British National Series – in which he won best newcomer last year. He’s also competing in local time trials with able-bodied athletes on two wheels.

Jimmy’s stroke left him with mobility and balance issues, a significant tremor and dysarthria, a condition which makes it difficult for him to speak. His lack of fine motor control meant he had to leave his career in anaesethics, and he now teaches medical students at the University of Plymouth. He uses text to speech software to help deliver sessions.

Jimmy’s proud mum Sally said: Jimmy’s determination, since his stroke, to be the very best he can be in every aspect of his life, is both wonderful and humbling. The recumbent cycling community is welcoming and inclusive and we are so thrilled he found this sport which offers freedom, friendship and challenge. It is a huge understatement to say we are so proud of all his achievements.

Jimmy’s determination was also praised by Jacqui Cuthbert, South West associate director for the Stroke Association which provides a Life After Stroke service supporting stroke survivors across the county.

Jacqui said: “Jimmy’s achievements competing against able-bodied riders are truly inspirational and reflect the determination stroke survivors have to overcome their disabilities and live the best life they can.”

The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke service in Devon helps people regain confidence and independence so they can rebuild their lives after stroke.

To find out more about support for stroke survivors in Devon, visit www.stroke.org.uk.”