UCI Para-Cycling World Track Championships Come To Manchester
Event Dates: 6-8 November 2009
Sarah Storey in action at the Paracycling World Cup at Manchester Velodrome earlier this year
Just days after the UCI Track Cycling World Cup, which saw British riders scoop 15 medals, including ten golds, the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships will get underway at the Manchester Velodrome on Friday 6 November, bringing the world's best Para-Cyclists to the city for three days of track action.
The event is a perfect opportunity for fans to watch the GB Para-Cycling Team compete on home soil. The event comes just one year after the team won 20 medals, 17 of them gold, at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, making them the most successful Para-Cycling team of all time.
Among the big stars from the GB Para-Cycling Team competing this weekend will be current World and Paralympic Champion Sarah Storey (pictured), entered in the LC1 category, and Darren Kenny, current World and Paralympic Champion in the CP3 Kilo and 3km Pursuit. The Czech Republic's Jiri Jezek, Australia's Michael Gallagher and Karissa Whitsell of the USA will be among the world-class overseas competitors looking to challenge the GB Team for medals.
Chris Furber, Lead Coach for the GB Para-Cycling Team, said: "This year is all about trying out new things in our team, from new pairings to new training methodologies. From 2010 we will be implementing what we have learnt in 2009 to really hone in on our performance ahead of London 2012 Paralympic Games. We are also looking at classifications where we have had less success to see if we can fast- track athletes into medal winning positions ahead of 2012. For us London will be about gold or nothing."
British Cycling's Cycle Sport and Membership Director, Jonny Clay said: "We are staging the event for the first time and are extremely proud to be bringing the best Para-Cyclists from around the globe to the city in what promises to be another great competition, completing three weeks of world class track action at the Manchester Velodrome."
Day 1: The championships begin on Friday 6 November at 12:30. Highlights of the first day include the Male Pursuit events and the 1000m Time Trial.
Day 2: Saturday 7 November will see the women begin their World Championships at 11:30am, with headline events including the Time Trial and the 3km Pursuit. The day will come to a close after the final of the Men's 4km Pursuit at 10:40pm.
Day 3: Sunday 8 November sees competition getting underway at 10:30am when the teams take to the track in the Women's 500m Time Trial and the Men's Tandem Sprint Final. Concluding what promises to be a thrilling final day will be the Mixed Team Sprint at 4:20pm, an event in which GB are the current World and Paralympic Champions.
Tickets: Tickets for this fantastic event are still available for each day, offering excellent value for money and a great day out for the entire family. Ticket Info
British Cycling is able to stage the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships thanks to the support of its partners including Manchester City Council, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), UK Sport and a number of commercial partners.