Cycling

Paralympic Cycling consists of two disciplines (Road and Track) and will be one of the most popular sports at London 2012. Classification The 50 medal events that make up the Paralympic Cycling competition feature athletes with visual impairment, cerebral palsy, amputations or other physical disabilities. There are four different types of cycle with 12 classes in all: A tandem is used by athletes with visual impairment; the athlete sits on the back of the tandem with a sighted pilot in front. A handcycle has pedals operated by hand, with two wheels at the back and one at the front. A tricycle is normally used by athletes whose balance would make them unable to race on a two-wheeled bicycle and a bicycle is used by all other athletes (often modified). The lower the athlete’s class number, the greater the impact of their impairment on their ability to cycle. Irish Interest Ireland boasts no fewer than three current world champions and has qualified a record 7 bikes for the Games. Mark Rohan (double World Handcycling Champion (HC1)), Colin Lynch (double World Paracycling Champion (C2)) and Catherine Walsh (2012 World Track Champion (Tandem)) will all target the podium at Brands Hatch (Road) or the Velodrome in Olympic Park (Track).