Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru

Background

Now in its 3rd year the event has now become a major part of the disability cycling calendar. It is organised to coincide with the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, so that World class athletes can be attracted to compete in Wales during a trip to the UK.

No fewer than 6 World Champions will be competing, holding between them over 30 Paralympic Medals and 5 World Records. There has been an increase in the countries attending with Germany, New Zealand and Italy increasing the number to 7 this year.

With only 116 days to the Beijing Paralympics many of the athletes are using this years Grand Prix for their final qualification preparations.

One of the major objectives of the” Grand Prix” is to develop young Paralympians of the future and a presentation will take place of two hand cycles to Newport Velo Cycling Club by Monmouthshire Freemasons.

Timetable (all times approximate)

16:45 Welcome and Opening

17:00 First Event

18:30 Minister for Heritage Arrives

19:00 Introduction to Competitors

19:30 Presentation of Hand cycles

20:00 Minister Departs

21:30 Trophy Presentation

Events

Each of the disabilities compete in specific categories, these can be broken down into three main groups

Loco Motive amputees (LC) ride standard bikes

Cerebral Palsy (CP) ride standard bikes

Visually Impaired (VI) ride tandems

Hand cycling Specialist bicycle

LC and CP will ride a number of time trials and individual pursuits ranging from 500m to 4000m. The VI ride a 200m individual time trial sprint to seed them for the sprint competitions, where they race in two’s. There is also an 1000m and endurance time trial of 4000m for men, 3000 for women.

Over 30 riders will be taking part in this years event.