Preview: London Paralympic road cycling

Preview: London Paralympic road cycling

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After picking up five gold, seven silver and three bronze medals at the London Velodrome, the focus turns to the road for Great Britain's para-cyclists, who will hope for a similar performance at Brands Hatch. We look ahead to the events day-by-day and the ParalympicsGB cyclists in action.

Wednesday 5 September

The road cycling at the London Paralympics begins with a busy day of time-trial competition and plenty of ParalympicsGB riders in action at Brand Hatch race circuit.

In the men’s events, Jon-Allan Butterworth will be aiming to build on the two silver medals he won at the London Velodrome as he competes in the C5 classification, his performance in the pursuit in particular demonstrating he has the endurance to target a podium spot.

Another silver medallist on the boards, Shaun McKeown won bronze in the C3 time-trial at the 2011 para-cycling road world championships and will hold every hope of exceeding that feat.

Mark Colbourne was arguably the hero of the velodrome for GB in his debut Games, a silver medal in the kilo and a stunning pursuit win – twice breaking the world record – confirmed he is in the form of his life. The 42-year-old came second in the C1 event at last year’s road worlds.

In the women’s field, Sarah Storey comes in as not only the defending Paralympic champion in the C5 event, but the current world champion and will be favourite to retain her crown and add to four Paralympic gold medals in cycling.

British Cycling Talent Team rider Crystal Lane is also in the category after narrowly missing out on a bronze in the velodrome.

In the B event, Lora Turnham piloted by Fiona Duncan will make up GB’s representation and aiming to make amends after being denied a medal in the pursuit bronze medal ride-off against Helen Scott and Aileen McGylnn at the velodrome.

Defending Paralympic champion in the H3 classification, Rachel Morris was involved in a traffic incident in which she was hit by car, leaving her in fitness battle to be in peak condition for the Games.

Karen Drake is set for the Paralympic debut in the H1-2 time-trial, an impressive bronze in the 2011 worlds in Copenhagen bodes well. In the mixed T1-2 event, world championships silver medallist and double Paralympic champion David Stone will be one of the main candidates for gold at Brands Hatch, out to defend his time-trial title.

Day 1 - event by event

Men's Individual C 5 Time Trial

Jon-Allen Butterworth

Men's Individual C 3 Time Trial

Shaun McKeown

Men's Individual C 1 Time Trial

Mark Colbourne

Women's Individual C 5 Time Trial

Sarah Storey
Crystal Lane

Women's Individual B Time Trial

Lora Turnham, Pilot – Fiona Duncan

Women's Individual H 3 Time Trial

Rachel Morris

Women's Individual H 1-2 Time Trial

Karen Darke

Mixed T 1-2 Time Trial

David Stone


Thursday 6 September 

The second day of road competition sees many of Wednesday’s time-trialists back in the road race events.

World road race champion Sarah Storey along with bronze medallist Crystal Lane participate in the C4-5 race, whilst Mark Colbourne and Shaun McKeown go out in the C1-3, neither finished on the podium in Denmark with both in their first Paralympic Games.

Jon-Allan Butterworth will hope to use his explosive pace to good effect if a sprint arises in the C4-5 event, despite being better known for his abilities on the track.

Day 2 - event by event

Men's Individual C 4-5 Road Race

Jon-Allan Butterworth

Men's Individual C 1-3 Road Race

Mark Colbourne
Shaun McKeown

Women's Individual C 4-5 Road Race

Sarah Storey
Crystal Lane


Friday 7 September

Only two ParalympicsGB cyclists will be targeting medals in Friday’s racing.

Rachel Morris finished fifth in the Beijing road race, and is joined by Paralympic road race debutant Karen Darke in the H1-3 race.

Both are current world road race bronze medallists, Morris in the H3 category and Darke in the H2, the classifications combined in Paralympic road racing.

Day 3 - event by event

Women's Individual H 1-3 Road Race

Karen Darke
Rachel Morris


Saturday 4 September

The final day of road cycling has ever chance of ending with medal success. David Stone will be defending the title he won in Beijing in the mixed T1-2 road race.

An injury to Stone hampered his preparations for last year’s world championships where he missed out on the medals in the road race, but a time-trial gold in the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup in Rome showed a return to form for the 31-year-old.

Lora Turnham will complete her first Paralympic Games – where she has been involved on both track and road – in the B road race and also conclude Great Britain’s involvement in London.

Day 4 - event by event

Women's Individual B Road Race

Lora Turnham

Mixed T 1-2 Road Race

David Stone