Alex Zanardi targets Paralympic handbike encore at Rio games

The two-time Champ Car champion and a silver at this year's London Paralympics.

While he was more vague about his future plans following that success, earlier this year he told AUTOSPORT that he did not envision being able to put himself through the preparation required to compete at that level again once the London games were over.

"I believe that when the [London] games are over, it will be a sad time for me. I can carry on competing in the same sport, but I cannot imagine staying in shape for another four years," he said back in March.

To read Zanardi's exclusive thoughts on his return to motorsport in this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, click here

The 46-year-old, who recently completed a DTM test for BMW, now believes that he can remain competitive at Rio in four years' time, saying he can compensate for a decline in physical condition in other areas.

"There is more [development] at the bottom of the barrel to be scratched up, [which] is why this sport is so exciting," he told AUTOSPORT.

"Paracycling is still a new sport, and in a way we are all pioneers. Therefore I think that at the next games at Rio de Janeiro, for sure I will not be as good an athlete because I will be older, but there will be many other areas, including in my training, where I can make gains.

"In other words, in four years time I can probably be faster than I was in London. And that's why, right now, I'm inclined to believe that I will be in Rio de Janeiro.

"If it doesn't happen, so what? It will be really exciting to try anyway.

"I am a dreamer, and right now there is nothing wrong with dreaming of being in Rio de Janeiro.

"London was London, and that was the end of a great adventure. But now there is no reason why I cannot start a new one."