Sports
Cycling
Newport Velo is a "Youth Only Cycle Club" based at the Wales National Velodrome...
The coaches, assistants and parent helpers are all volunteers.
The Club caters for children from 8 to 16 years of age, with coaching and training sessions each week utilising the clubs "British Cycling" qualified coaches.
Cycling competitions are relatively new for athletes with disabilities. In the early eighties, the visually impaired were the first group of athletes to compete, and athletes with cerebral palsy and amputees began racing at the International Games for the Disabled in 1984. Up until the 1992 Paralympics, the competitions for each of these different groups were held separately. Then, at the Barcelona Games, spectators witnessed intense competitions in both track and road races between athletes in all three disability groups.
The cycling events are divided into individual and team (a group of three cyclists from one nation) events. Athletes with cerebral palsy compete using standard racing bikes and, in some classes, tricycles. Athletes who are blind or visually impaired compete on tandem bicycles with a sighted team-mate, and they participate in the road race and the time trial events. Finally, amputees and cyclists with permanent locomotor deficiencies compete in individual road race events using cycles specifically constructed for their needs.
Handcycling will be included for the first time at the Athens Paralympic Games. Handcycling is for athletes who normally require a wheelchair for general mobility, or athletes not able to use a conventional bicycle or tricycle because of severe lower limb disability.
Team GB's Paralympics enjoyed spectacular success in Athens, finishing second in the overall medal table with 94 medals.
We are now in the process of acquiring two track tandems to assist amputees, visually impaired and disabled children able to balance with out aid; We can offer the opportunity to amputees to enjoy cycling by tandem or solo.
Welsh Cycling is fully committed to ensuring that all individuals are able to enjoy participation in Cycling, and actively encourages and supports the cycling ambitions of anyone with a disability.
Disability Cycle sport in the UK is open to both male and female competitors.
How can I get involved'
If you have a disability and would like to get involved in Cycling, please contact Mr Neil Smith (contact at bottom of the page) who will be pleased to assist you with your goals.
Performance Cycling
British Cycling's World Class programme currently supports a very successful Disability Paralympic squad, which is resourced and equipped to the same standard as the remainder of the GB squads.
Welsh Cycling is keen to increase its membership of Welsh cyclists on all British Cycling programmes, and will seek to support any cyclist who has the potential to succeed on an International stage.
Disability Cycling Co-Ordinator
Name: Neil Smith
E-Mail: neilsmith@btinternet.com
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