Paris 2024: Ones to Watch in Para cycling

The 10 Para cyclists you should be looking out for when the next Paralympics kick off in France this summer 12 Apr 2024

By IPC

With the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games well and truly in the final stages, our Sport Weeks provide you with the perfect guide to each of the competitions being contested in France. To round off this week, here are the athletes to look out for in Para cycling this summer.

Tristan Bangma (Netherlands)

Dutch Para cyclist Tristan Bangma and pilot Patrick Bos compete on a tandem bike at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. — @Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

The double Paralympic gold medallist excels at both road and track disciplines, having starred at two Games editions so far. The Dutch athlete is also the reigning Paralympic Individual Pursuit B champion and will be confident of defending his title in Paris.

Fabrizio Cornegliani (Italy)

Italian Para cyclist Fabrizio Cornegliani competes in a handcycle. — @UCI/ SWpix.com

The reigning double European champion is also a two-time world champion. He will be hoping to upgrade his Road Time Trial H1 silver from Tokyo 2020 to gold at Paris 2024.

Sergio Garrote Munoz (Spain)

Sergio Garrote Munoz, a Para cyclist from Spain, competes in a handcycle — @UCI/ SWpix.com

The reigning Paralympic Time Trial H2 champion is in peak form to defend his title in Paris. He continued his impressive form in 2023, adding another medal to his collection at the European Para Championships.

Alexandre Leaute (France)

Para cyclist Alexandre Leaute riding his bike — @Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

The man to beat in the C2 category and the big home favourite for gold at Paris 2024. The defending Paralympic champion in the Individual Pursuit won a stunning five titles at the 2023 Worlds.

Lauro Cesar Mouro Chaman (Brazil)

A close up photo of Brazilian Para cyclist Lauro Cesar Chaman in competition — @Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Brazil’s first-ever Paralympic cycling medallist made history at his home Games in Rio when he claimed Time Trial bronze and Road Race silver. After narrowly missing the podium again at Tokyo 2020 he has now focused his attention on winning a first Paralympic gold in Paris.

Oksana Masters (USA)

Oksana Masters of Team USA competes in a handcycle at Tokyo 2020. — @Dean Mouhtaropoulos/ Getty Images

The American Para sport superstar was already a multi-Paralympic Nordic skiing champion when she transitioned effortlessly from winter to summer sport. Three years after winning double gold at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games she claimed double Para cycling gold at Tokyo 2020.

Daniela Carolina Munevar Florez (Colombia)

Daniela Carolina Munevar, Para cyclist from Colombia, competes. — @ Lucas Uebel/ Getty Images

The double world champion is targeting her first Paralympic medal in Paris. Experience will play a big role for the South American as she heads to her third Games.

Sarah Storey (Great Britain)

A female Para cyclist celebrates by holding the British flag — @Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

One of the most successful Para athletes of all time with12 Paralympic cycling titles under her belt, not to mention her five golds as a Paralympic swimmer. Paris will be the Brit’s fifth Games as a Para cyclist and ninth edition overall.

Keiko Sugiura (Japan)

Japanese female cyclist celebrates on her bike — @Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

One of the stars of the last Paralympics hosts, Sugiura became Japan’s oldest Paralympic champion when she claimed double gold in Tokyo at the age of 50. She is once again well placed for the podium heading to her second Games.

Bianbian Sun (China)

Bianbian Sun, a Para cyclist from China, competes in a handcycle. — @Dean Mouhtaropoulos/ Getty Images

Sun’s Paralympic debut ended with silvers in both the Time Trial H4-5 and Road Race H5 at Tokyo 2020. She will be hoping to get the better of Oksana Masters this time around at Paris 2024.