It's been a fine year or two for British female cyclists in all disciplines, but much less visible is the domination of our disability athletes. The GB Paralympic Team includes:
Aileen McGlynn MBE & Ellen Hunter (Women's Tandem) - Paralympic Gold Medalists
Sarah Bailey - Multi Paralympic Medallist, World Record Holder and World Champion
These riders are currently working to secure their places on the squad that goes to the Olympics in Beijing and there's a Paralympic World Cup in Manchester this weekend.
Riders enjoyed a night of fierce racing at the disability Wales GP, hosted at the Newport velodrome this Wednesday night, by way of a warm up for the weekend World Cup. Teams from Great Britain, Wales, Ireland, Australia, and America were present, supported by a small army of volunteers and the always encouraging and helpful velodrome staff.
The racing included time trails, pursuits, sprints and bunch racing, for a variety of visual impairments and physical disabilities.
For me, I have to say that unless you have witnessed for yourself the excitement of tandem match sprinting, it is almost impossible to describe. I am pleased to report that the GB pairing of McGlynn and Hunter qualified fastest and then dispatched their Aussie rivals in two very close races. Sarah Bailey is on great form and put down a formidable time in the pursuit and we wish them all the best of luck at the World Cup this weekend.
Karen Glynn
