The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games promise to be a spectacular showcase of athletic prowess and determination, with Para Cycling being one of the highlights. The Games will feature top athletes from around the world competing in various events, offering thrilling races and inspiring stories. Here’s a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about Para Cycling at Paris 2024.
Venue
The Para Cycling track events will be held at the Vélodrome National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. This state-of-the-art facility is known for its excellent infrastructure and has previously hosted numerous international cycling events. The road cycling events will take place in the suburban commune of Clichy-sous-Bois, located in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, offering a scenic and challenging route for the competitors (Home) (NBC Olympics).
Events and Schedule
Para Cycling at Paris 2024 will include both track and road events. Athletes will compete in various categories based on their impairments, ensuring fair and exciting races. The competition schedule is as follows:
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Track Cycling
- August 29: 5:00 AM – 10:25 AM
- August 30: 5:00 AM – 11:35 AM
- August 31: 5:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- September 1: 5:00 AM – 8:15 AM
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Road Cycling
- September 4: 2:00 AM – 11:20 AM
- September 5: 3:30 AM – 12:05 PM
- September 6: 3:30 AM – 10:45 AM
- September 7: 3:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Also Read: Paris Olympic Cycling 2024: Experience Live Streaming, Tickets, Schedule, Venue, Routes and Events
More about Track Cycling
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Track Shape and Surface
- Tracks have large banked sides, allowing riders to reach high speeds.
- The surface is smooth and designed for optimal performance.
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Event Categories
- Sprint Events: These are short and explosive races. They include individual sprints, team sprints, and keirin.
- Endurance Events: These are longer races, such as Madison, omnium, and team pursuit.
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Individual Sprint
- A timed event with three laps.
- Riders compete alone (qualification) or side-by-side (head-to-head races).
- Elimination rounds lead to quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal races.
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Team Sprint
- Teams of three riders.
- Fast-paced, timed event with head-to-head racing.
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Points Races
- Unique endurance events where riders accumulate points over a set distance or time.
- The rider with the most points wins.
Ticketing and Viewing Options
Tickets for the Para Cycling events can be purchased through the official Paris 2024 website. Prices vary depending on the event and seating category, so be sure to book early to secure your spot. For those unable to attend in person, live streaming and television coverage will be available, providing an opportunity to follow the excitement from anywhere in the world. NBC Olympics and other broadcasters will offer comprehensive coverage of the Games (NBC Olympics).
Rules and Classifications
Para Cycling events are categorized to ensure fair competition among athletes with similar impairments. The classifications include:
- C1-C5: For cyclists who can use standard bicycles.
- H1-H5: For handcyclists.
- T1-T2: For tricyclists.
- B: For visually impaired cyclists who compete on tandem bicycles with a sighted pilot.
Each category is further divided based on the severity of the impairment, with athletes competing against others with similar functional abilities (IPC Paralympics) (NBC Olympics).
Also Read: Thrilling Cross-Country Mountain Bike National Championships 2024
Notable Participants
Several athletes are expected to be the stars of the Para Cycling events at Paris 2024. Sarah Storey from Great Britain, the most successful female Paralympic cyclist of all time, is likely to be a major contender. Other notable participants include Germany’s Michael Teuber and the USA’s Oksana Masters, both of whom have achieved significant success in previous Games (IPC Paralympics).
Memorable Moments in Para Cycling
Para Cycling has a rich history in the Paralympic Games. It debuted in 1984 and has since grown in popularity and competitiveness. Memorable moments include Sarah Storey’s transition from swimming to cycling and her subsequent dominance in the sport, and Alex Zanardi’s incredible performances in handcycling following his transition from Formula 1 racing (IPC Paralympics) (NBC Olympics).
Para cycling success stories
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Joseph Fritsch and Johan Quaile (France)
- French Para cyclists Joseph Fritsch and Johan Quaile became both world and European champions.
- They won the mixed team relay at the European Para Championships 2023, wearing the UCI rainbow jersey.
- Fritsch emphasizes enjoying what you do and finding motivation even during challenging training.
- Patrycja Kuter and Kasia Kornasiewicz (Poland)
- Kuter, who has a vision impairment, competes in a tandem bike with Kornasiewicz as her sighted pilot.
- Their success is based on true friendship and trust.
- They communicate using simple words during races, ensuring effective teamwork.
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Oksana Masters (USA)
- Oksana Masters won gold medals in both the road race (H5) and time trial (H4-5) at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
- Her adaptability and skills from other Para sports contributed to her success.
Also Read: Elite & Para-cycling Track National Championships 2024
FAQs
What is Para cycling?
Para cycling is a sport where athletes with physical impairments compete on bicycles. It includes both road and track events.
Where will the Para cycling track events take place?
The Para cycling track events will happen at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome in Paris.
What types of races are included in Para cycling?
Individual races like team sprints, the kilometer, and the individual pursuit are part of Para cycling. Peloton events are excluded for safety reasons.
Why are individual races preferred?
Individual races allow fair competition across different disability levels. They are also safer than peloton races.
Which athletes can we expect to see?
Keep an eye out for French riders like Alexandre Léauté, Dorian Foulon, Marie Patouillet, and Heïdi Gaugain.