Classification

B – tandem

H1–H4 – athletes use a hand cycle

T1–T2 – athletes use a tricycle

C1–C5 – athletes use a bicycle, often with modifications

The lower the athlete’s class number, the greater the impact of their impairment on their ability to compete.

Number of medal events

32 – men’s and women’s Road Races, men’s and women’s Time Trials across a variety of classifications, and a Mixed Team Relay.

Field of play

The Road Race course is an 8km loop including the Brands Hatch circuit and surrounding roads.

Competition format

The men's and women's Road Race and Team events are straight finals. In each event all athletes start together, and the first athlete/team to cross the finish line is the winner.

In the Time Trials, athletes start at 60-second intervals. The one to complete the course in the fastest time is the winner.

The Team Relay events will be conducted as mass start events on a looped course. Each team will consist of three riders, with no baton or other physical contact required to enact the relays. The race will be six laps long, with each rider doing two laps.

Source: http://www.london2012.com/paralympics

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