Paris 2024: France aiming to break Para cycling dominance
Great Britain and Netherlands have been the teams to beat in recent Paralympic Games and will again be strong 28 Aug 2024
Para cycling takes to the suburbs and beyond for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games as one of its most high-profile and high-octane sports - and French hopes of success are high.
The track cycling will take place to the west of the city at the National Velodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yveslines from 29 August to 1 September, followed by the road cycling (4-7 September) around Clichy-sous-Bois to the east – officially a Paris suburb but not served by major roads or public transport, giving it a distinctly Tour de France stage feel.
Having made its Paralympic debut in 1984 with just 22 athletes competing across seven events, para cycling has grown exponentially in the 40 years since. As at Tokyo 2020 three years ago, in Paris more than 200 participants will do battle across 51 events – 17 around the track and 34 on the road.
There are five classes for riders who can use a standard bicycle, C1-C5, with the lowest number indicating the greatest impairment on the ability to ride a bike. Handcycling also has five classes, H1-H5, with two classes of tricycle races for athletes with balance co-ordination impairments, while cyclists with a vision impairment race tandem bikes with a sighted pilot.
A long-standing para cycling power, Great Britain topped the medal standings in Tokyo with 24, including 10 gold, while the Netherlands’ nine golds included six for their men’s track team. France had the joint-second-highest overall tally of 16 medals, so expect the home fans to have something to celebrate as crowds return in force following Covid restrictions in Tokyo.
Five stories to follow...
Leaute looking for hometown glory
The undisputed star of French para cycling, Alexandre Leaute was just 20 when he won the gold medal in the men’s 3km Individual Pursuit C2 at Tokyo 2020. He also claimed a silver (1km Time Trial C1-3) and two bronzes (Time Trial C2 and Road Race C1-3).
“It was a very good competition,” Leaute, now 23, said. “It went pretty well for me in terms of medals but I have very few memories of the event.”
That’s unlikely to be the case in Paris, where Leaute will be roared on by a fervent home crowd. “I’m so excited for my friends and family to finally be able to come and see me compete since it’s not very far from home,” he said. “It would be the accomplishment of a dream and then I will have to find new ways to motivate myself.”
Having won eight world titles across road and track events since Tokyo, Leaute will hope to at least match his medal haul from 2020.
Storey to add another chapter to epic career
Mother of two, Dame of the British Empire, one of the most decorated Paralympians of all time – and Sarah Storey isn’t finished yet.
After making her name as a Paralympic swimmer in 1992, Storey switched to cycling at Beijing 2008 and has amassed 12 Paralympic gold medals since across track and road, including three at Tokyo 2020 (Individual Pursuit, Time Trial, Road Race – all C5).
“For me it would be amazing to win again and say I have won medals at nine consecutive summer Games,” Storey, 46, said. “I don’t think anyone in any sport has ever done that.”
Age just a number for record-breaker Sugiura
In April 2016, aged 45, Keiko Sugiura – a pharmacist and keen amateur cyclist – was injured in a road race, suffering serious physical and neurological injuries. Within 18 months she was a world champion, having turned to para cycling during rehab.
She then won double gold at Tokyo 2020, becoming Japan’s oldest Paralympic champion. Now her aims for Paris are clear.
“What I am aiming for is to extend my record of becoming the oldest gold medallist at Paris," Sugiura explained. "I know that’s what everyone wants to hear from me. I’m aiming for the top spot.”
Eye-catching rivalries
Nordic para skiing star Oksana Masters transitioned seamlessly from the slopes to the road at Tokyo 2020, winning double gold. Hot on her wheels in both the H4-5 Time Trial and H5 Road Race was China's Bianbian Sun, who will be looking to turn silver into gold.
The same goes for Italy's Fabrizio Cornegliani. The 55-year-old is a double world and European champion, but missed out to Pieter du Preez, 44, in the H1 Road Time Trial at Tokyo 2020, with Belgium’s Maxime Hordies, 28, taking bronze. At the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, the three shared the medals in both the Time Trial and Road race, so expect the rivalry to be resumed in Paris.
Fans to pack the streets and the stands
With 5,000 spectators able to fit inside the National Velodrome and many more expect to line the route of the road events, cycling could be one of the most well-attended Paralympic sports of Paris 2024. "I'm super excited from so many fronts," Pieter du Preez said.
Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, added: “We can't wait to see the Paralympic athletes set off on demanding courses, which will put the spotlight on the territories of Paris, meeting residents and inhabitants. All along the route, access will be free for the public, so the goal is to be as numerous as possible.”
