Welsh Para-cyclist James Ball 26 of Ponthir will team with Pete Mitchell as part of the Great Britain Cycling Team at this weekend’s Manchester Para-cycling International.

The event, which takes place at the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre between Friday and Sunday (schedule here), represents an opportunity for riders to gain Tokyo 2020 qualifying points.

James Ball (piloted by Pete Mitchell) will compete in the tandem events along with Steve Bate (Adam Duggleby) and Neil Fachie (Matt Rotherham), while on the women’s side, Paralympic champions Lora Fachie (Corrine Hall) and Sophie Thornhill (Helen Scott) will again line up in national colours.

John Lenton, British Cycling’s Para-cycling Pathway Manager, says that the experience gained at the London event will stand the Great Britain riders in good stead as they continue their Tokyo preparations.

“To see para-cycling events taking place at the TISSOT UCI Track Cycling World Cup was a fantastic moment for us all, and something that all the riders took a great deal from. I know all the riders appreciate the fantastic support that the British public always provides.

“With just over 18 months until Tokyo, we’re looking to build on that momentum, and this weekend’s Para-cycling International gives our riders the chance to test themselves against some of the best para-cyclists from around the world on home soil once again.”

The full Great Britain Cycling Team squad for this weekend’s Manchester Para-cycling International is:

Women

Lora Fachie MBE piloted by Corrine Hall MBE (WB)

Sophie  Thornhill MBE piloted by Helen  Scott MBE (WB)

Megan Giglia MBE (WC3)

Kadeena Cox MBE (WC4)

Crystal  Lane-Wright (WC5)

Men

James Ball piloted by Pete Mitchell (MB)

Stephen Bate MBE piloted by Adam Duggleby MBE (MB)

Neil Fachie MBE piloted by Matthew Rotherham (MB)

Matthew Robertson (MC2)

Louis Rolfe MBE (MC2)

Finlay Graham (MC3)

Ben Watson (MC3)

Jody Cundy OBE (MC4)

William Bjergfelt (MC5

Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE (MC5)

Jon Gildea (MC5)