British Cycling has confirmed the riders on the Great Britain Cycling Team Para-cycling Programme for 2017.
Great Britain’s most successful female Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey will lead the women’s endurance programme and is joined by Paralympic gold medallist Megan Giglia, Crystal Lane and Liz Saul.
Tandem stokers, Neil Fachie, Sophie Thornhill, Lora Fachie, Steve Bate and James Ball are all retained alongside pilots, Pete Mitchell, Helen Scott, Corrine Hall, Adam Duggleby and Craig Maclean.
Seven-time Paralympic gold medallist Jody Cundy is selected and is joined by his team sprint Paralympic gold medal winning team-mates, Jon Allan Butterworth and Louis Rolfe.
GB Cycling Team's @JodyCundy, named in the 2017 Para-cycling Programme, says the squad is looking in good shape. https://t.co/GX3jSbGnyv pic.twitter.com/Nvz0Kdz1gJ
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) January 25, 2017
Paralympic gold medallist Karen Darke will be hoping to become a world champion for the first time in her career while David Stone, Craig McCann and Hannah Dines will continue to compete in the men's and women's T2 classification respectively. Jon Gildea and Simon Price will both be aiming to improve on a 2016 which saw them stand on the podium at world championships and world cups respectively.
David Smith remains on the squad as he continues his recovery and rehabilitation from spinal surgery.
The Great Britain Cycling Team enjoyed a brilliant 2016, topping the medal tables at both the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships, winning 18 medals, before dominating the cycling events at the Paralympic Games in Rio, winning 21 medals, including 12 gold.
Great Britain Cycling Team Para-cycling head coach, Jon Norfolk, said:
“The last 12 months have been incredible for the team and topping the medal tables at the Paralympics and world championships was a brilliant achievement.
“However, we won’t be resting on our laurels and the focus of the programme is to maintain the momentum created and to repeat our success at Tokyo 2020.
Paralympic star @MeganGiglia says the 2017 GB Cycling Team Para-cycling Programme riders are set for a big year. https://t.co/GX3jSbGnyv pic.twitter.com/BwqgQxT9mT
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) January 25, 2017
“The squad we’ve named is full of Paralympic and world champions as well as a number of riders who we believe have the potential to improve and become medal competitive over the next four year cycle.
“With a world championships on the track and road as well as a number of road world cups it will be a busy year for the team and riders and staff are looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Kadeena Cox is not currently named in the squad due to her participation on reality television show ‘The Jump’. Her position on the team will be reviewed once her time on the show is complete and she has returned to full training, but the team is looking forward to welcoming her back.
Great Britain Cycling Team Para-cycling Podium Programme:
James Ball
Steve Bate
Jon Allan Butterworth
Jody Cundy
Karen Darke
Hannah Dines
Adam Duggleby
Neil Fachie
Megan Giglia
Jon Gildea
Corrine Hall
Lora Fachie
Crystal Lane
Craig Maclean
Pete Mitchell
Simon Price
Louis Rolfe
Liz Saul
Helen Scott
Dave Smith
Dame Sarah Storey
David Stone
Sophie Thornhill
