Illness may have disrupted his plans for the IPC Athletics World Championships and New York Marathon but Commonwealth Games wheelchair champion David Weir remains confident it is just a small blip on the road to Rio.

Weir was anticipating a busy end to October with the IPC World Championships in Doha followed by this weekend’s New York Marathon.

But a stomach bug picked up in the days leading up to the 5000m final in Qatar has seen him withdraw from Sunday’s event in America.

The wheelchair racer did however win T54 1500m world silver in his first appearance in a British vest since London 2012, before finishing seventh in the 5000m.

And Weir insists it is results such as those in the 1500m which means it is not all bad news currently.

“I’m really disappointed not to be able to race at the New York Marathon. I have been suffering the effects of a virus, which significantly hampered my preparations for the 5000m final in Doha,” he said.

“However, wearing the British vest is something I do with pride, and I wanted to give it my all despite the way I had been feeling in the build-up and indeed during the race.

“I’m now going to take a bit of time off before getting another strong winter season under my belt, which will put me in the best possible position to challenge for the medals in Rio next year.

“The training and speeds that I have got up to on the track has shown that I am in great shape and I am confident that I will be in the mix for medals come Rio and London in 2017.”

© Sportsbeat 2015