Three Scottish riders have been selected to compete for medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games as part of the Great Britain team.

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) today announced that Neil Fachie, Karen Darke and Hannah Dines had all been selected alongside another eight riders and four pilots.

This will be Neil's third Paralympic Games after having already competed in Beijing and London. This time he will be piloted by Pete Mitchell.

For trike rider Hannah, this will be her first ever games.

The team also includes Dame Sarah Storey – already Britain’s most decorated female Paralympian - who will compete at her seventh Paralympic Games and won four gold medals at London 2012. Storey has 11 gold, eight silver and three bronze medals to her name and will compete in up to four events in Rio.

Storey said today:

“I’m delighted to be picked for my seventh Paralympic Games. It’s just as exciting to be named in the team today as it was for my first Games in Barcelona back in 1992. London 2012 was incredible; to win four gold medals at a home Games was a once in a lifetime experience but I can’t wait to get to Rio and hopefully enjoy some more success alongside my ParalympicsGB team mates.” 

ParalympicsGB will  be well represented in the tandem events for VI riders, as two female and two male riders plus pilots will compete for Britain: Stephen Bate and pilot Adam Duggleby, Neil Fachie and pilot Pete Mitchell, Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott, Lora Turnham and pilot Corrine Hall.

Penny Briscoe, Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB said:

“It is fantastic to be able to announce such a strong cycling team for ParalympicsGB for Rio 2016. These riders have won plenty of medals on the international stage since London 2012 and I have confidence that they will do the same this summer.

“I look forward to an exciting and competitive 10 days of competition on the track and road in Rio.”

Jon Pett, British Cycling Para-cycling Programme Manager and ParalympicsGB Team Leader, said:

“We are really pleased to be able to name such a strong cycling team for Paralympics GB today. The riders have all earned their place in the squad with some excellent performances on the track and the road over the last couple of years.

We have a great blend of riders in the team, from some with significant Paralympic Games experience to those who will be competing at a Games for the first time. We’re very confident that the team that has been selected will be ready to give everything they’ve got to deliver success in Rio for ParalympicsGB.” 

A second team announcement for cycling will be held later in the year which will confirm the athletes to take up the final places on the cycling team.

Selected athletes:

Jon Allan Butterworth

Stephen Bate (and Adam Duggleby)

Jody Cundy

Karen Darke

Hannah Dines

Megan Giglia

Neil Fachie (and Pete Mitchell)

David Stone

Dame Sarah Storey

Sophie Thornhill (and Helen Scott)

Lora Turnham (and Corrine Hall)