Alessandro Zanardi triumphed in the men's H5 hand cycling event ©Getty Images

Italy’s Alessandro Zanardi claimed the third Paralympic gold medal of his career after triumphing in the men’s H5 time trial event in Rio de Janeiro today.

The 49-year-old former Formula One driver was competing the day before the 15th anniversary of his crash in an IndyCar race in Germany in 2001, which led to the loss of both of his legs.

Zanardi, who was the subject of a documentary this year which detailed his attempts to compete in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps race, completed the Paralympic hand-cycling course in a time of 28min and 36.81sec.

Australia’s Stuart Tripp ended narrowly adrift of the Italian's time by finishing in 28:39.55, while the United States’ Oscar Sanchez completed the podium in 28:51.73.

"It is just fantastic,” Zanardi said afterwards.

“Normally I don't thank God for these type of things as I believe God has more important stuff to worry about, but today is too much, I had to raise my eyes and thank him.

“I feel very lucky, I feel my life is a never ending privilege.

“The life I have today is the living proof that everything is not always 100 per cent good or bad.

“Even my accident, what happened to me, became the biggest opportunity of my life.

“All the things I am doing today are related to my new condition."

There was also success for Germany’s 58-year-old competitor Hans-Peter Durst, who clocked 22:57.34 to claim victory in the men’s T1-2 time trial event.

The triumph saw the veteran improve on his silver medal from the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

American Ryan Boyle clocked 24:21.55 to gain silver, while Britain's David Stone finished in the bronze medal position after finishing in 24:42.25.

Ireland, who had won two gold medals before today, secured two victories in para-cycling to boost their medal haul.

Eoghan Clifford earned a dominant victory in the men's time trial C3 by clocking 38:21.79, with his nearest challenger Masaki Fujita of Japan finishing second in 39:30.41.

Canada’s Michael Sametz completed the top three, having crossed the line in 39:41.28.

Katie George Dunlevy added to Clifford’s success by winning the women's time trial B event, alongside her pilot Eve McCrystal, with the duo ending in 38:59.22.

Japan's Yurie Kanuma was second in 39:32.92 with Britain's Lora Turnham taking bronze in 39:33.81.

Britain's Sarah Storey followed up becoming the country’s most decorated female Paralympian of all time earlier this week by securing her 13th Paralympic gold.

She completed the women’s C5 time trial in a winning time of 27:22.42.

Anna Harkowska of Poland secured the silver medal, finishing in 28:52.79, with bronze going the way of Samantha Bosco of the United States, who clocked 29:04.66.

For a full breakdown of cycling results from day seven, visit our Live Blog here