08/07/08 - ParalympicsGB name cycling squad for Beijing Paralympics

�ParalympicsGB has today named the ten British cyclists set to represent Britain at this summer’s Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Among the squad are current Paralympic champions Darren Kenny (Bournemouth) and Aileen McGlynn (Glasgow), who hope to add to their personal medal hauls from Athens this summer in Beijing. Aileen, who will again be competing with pilot rider Ellen Hunter, won the tandem sprint silver and tandem 1km time trial gold in Athens, while Kenny took gold in the CP3* individual pursuit, the CP3 1km time trial gold and silver in the CP3 road race and time trial.

Also in the squad are former Paralympic swimming champions Jody Cundy, from Swansea, and Manchester’s Sarah Storey (nee Bailey) who both switched from the pool to the track a couple of years ago and make their Paralympic cycling debuts in China this summer.

These four are joined in the squad by Sydney 2000 Paralympian David Stone (Leeds) as well as Games debutants Anthony Kappes (Derbyshire), who will be competing with pilot rider Barney Storey (Manchester; Sarah Storey’s husband), Simon Richardson (Porthcawl, South Wales), Mark Bristow (grew up in Southampton), Rik Waddon (Manchester) and hand-cyclist Rachel Morris (Farnham, Surrey).

Helen Mortimer, British Cycling’s Performance Manager, said: “We’ve got an exceptional team for the Paralympic Games so it is a good opportunity to build on our success at the 2007 World Championships in Bordeaux, where we took 13 gold medals.”

British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford added: “The Great Britain Paralympic Cycling Team has continued to develop to such a point where it is clearly both the strongest and most professional Paralympic Cycling Team from Great Britain in living memory. The very tough selection decisions which had to be made are a testament to the strength and depth of talent within our Paralympic cycling programme. In keeping with the overall philosophy of the Great Britain cycling team we will leave no stone unturned in its quest for Paralympic success.”

ParalympicsGB Chief Executive Phil Lane, said: “I’m delighted to be able to confirm the selection of these ten cyclists for the Beijing 2008 Paralympics. Britain’s cyclists have proved themselves to be among the best in the world by topping the medal table at the 2007 world championships and I look forward to watching them try and replicate this success at Paralympic level this summer.”

“I would like to congratulate these athletes on being selected for the ParalympicsGB and welcome them to our team for Beijing.”

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games open on September 6 and closes on September 17. The track cycling events at the Games take place at the Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing from September 7 to 10 with the road cycling taking place from September 12 to 14.�

At the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Britain finished second in the medal table with a total of 35 golds, 30 silver and 29 bronze medals. With competitive standards continually rising and the dominant Chinese team taking the home advantage ParalympicsGB recognises that the 2008 Paralympics will be one of its biggest challenges yet.

The Cycling squad includes:

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Mark Bristow���
Jody Cundy���
Anthony Kappes��
Anthony Kappes’ pilot rider:
Barney Storey
Darren Kenny���
Aileen McGlynn�� �
Aileen McGlynn’s pilot rider:
Ellen Hunter��
Rachel Morris���
Simon Richardson�� ��
David Stone��� ��
Sarah Storey��� ��
Rik Waddon���

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