British Cycling is pleased to today announce that for the first time this year’s National Para-cycling Road and Time Trial Series will feature an open category for unclassified tricycle and handcycle riders.
The introduction of new categories has been driven by the organisation’s determination to broaden the available racing opportunities and enable more riders to participate in the sport.
The national governing body can also confirm the dates of the 2021 domestic calendar, including the return of the National Para-cycling Road and Time Trial Championships, which will take place over the weekend of 5 – 6 June in Bath.
A three-round national series open on the weekend of 22 – 23 May in Leicestershire, at the Leicester New College Circuit and Wymondham Road Circuit, and the dates and venues for rounds two and three will be published in due course.
British Cycling’s Head of Sport and Major Events, Jonathan Day, said:
“We introduced an open category to the tricycle and handcycle classes for the 2021 series to increase the number of competitive opportunities for riders who do not meet the current UCI eligible impairment criteria. We see it as a positive development in the para-cycling competition calendar as we look to improve the national series year on year.
“Although the races will not be recognised as an official national series or national championships initially, a ranking will be recorded across the series to reward competitors who attend all rounds. We are continuing to monitor the impact of Covid-19 on our calendar, but we are confident that the events will be able to take place successfully – which will be a great boost for both our domestic riders as well as those from the Great Britain Cycling Team, who may use the competition as part of their preparations for Tokyo.
2021 National Para-Cycling Road and Time Trial Championships
- Time Trial: 5 June, Bath
- Closed circuit: 6 June, Bath
2021 National Para-cycling Road Closed Circuit and Time Trial Series
- Round 1: 22 – 23 May, Leicestershire
Closed circuit races: 22 May, Leicester New College circuit
Time trial: 23 May, Wymondham Road circuit
- Round 2: TBC, Pembrey, Wales
- Round 3: TBC
