Menu
The cycling discipline as a Paralympic sport first came about in the 1980s, initially focusing on visually impaired riders, who competed on a tandem. The first appearance of para cycling in the Paralympic Games was in 1984, which was co-hosted by New York and Stoke Mandeville in England, and this first event only included road races for people with cerebral palsy.
By 1996 the sport had evolved significantly, with track cycling included, along with each type of disability being classified into specific functional categories. Handcycling was included in the Sydney Programme of racing in 2000, as an exhibition event.
Qualification has evolved with the sport, with medical and functional criteria being included to even the playing field. Today the competition rules run accordingly with the functional ability of each participant.
There are now Annual World Cups and World Championships in both Track and Road and also at the Paralympic Games every 4 years.
Para cycling is divided into road and track races for a total of seven events.
Paralympic cyclists compete under exactly the same rules and conditions as their counterparts at the Olympic Games.
Road cycling takes place on public roads, while track races take place on a velodrome.
Bicycles, Tricycles, Tandems and Handcycles must be in compliance with the International Cycling Union technical regulations.
| Hypertonia | Impaired Muscle Power |
| Ataxia | Leg Length Difference |
| Athetosis | Impaired Passive Range of Movement |
| Limb Deficiency | Vision Impairment |
Athletes with physical impairments either compete on handcycles, tricycles or bicycles. Athletes with a visual impairment compete on tandems with a sighted “pilot.”
For illustrated explanation please click on the button below.
Bicycle – For athletes with cerebral palsy, amputees, and others who can ride a bicycle.
| C1-C5 |
| Athletes who are able to use a standard bicycle compete in the five sport classes C1-5. The sport class profiles include amputations, impaired muscle power, or range of motion, and also impairments affecting coordination, such as ataxia and athetosis. Sport class C1 is allocated to athletes with the most severe activity limitation, while the sport class C5 is allocated to athletes who meet the minimum impairment criteria.
For example, cyclists with a double below-the-knee amputation who use a prosthesis are likely to compete in the sport class C3, while an athlete with a below knee amputation and a prosthesis on one leg would compete in the sport class C4. |
Tricycle – Tricycle athletes are divided into two classes, T1 and T2. Due to impairments affecting their balance and coordination, they ride a tricycle to increase stability.
| T1-T2 |
| The sport class T1 is allocated to athletes with more significant coordination problems or loss of muscle power than athletes competing in sport class T2. |
Tandem – Cyclists with a visual impairment race tandem with a sighted cycler (pilot) in front.
| B1-B3 |
| Cyclists in this sport class must meet the criteria as set out in the B3 profile described above to compete, therefore B1, B2 and B3 athletes compete together in one event. |
Handcycling – For athletes with impairments affecting either both legs or a combination of the upper and lower limbs (amputees, paraplegics and tetraplegics). H1-4 all compete in a lying position whereas H5 compete in a kneeling position.
| H1-H5 |
| There are 5 different sport classes for handcycling and lower numbers indicate a more severe activity limitation.
Cyclists in the sport classes H1-4 compete in a reclined position. While athletes competing in the H1 class have a complete loss of trunk and leg function and have limited arm function, e.g. because of spinal-cord injuries, athletes in the H4 class have no leg function but good trunk and arm function. Cyclists in the H5 sport class sit on their knees and can thus use their arms and trunk to accelerate the handcycle. Athletes in this sport class might have leg amputations, paraplegia, or mild to moderate athetosis or ataxia. |
To be eligible to apply for a national classification, athletes must:
Athletes who do not meet the list of criteria above may still be evaluated by the classifiers by prior arrangement. However, he/she will only receive a provisional class in order to facilitate them to compete this year.
This list includes active athletes who have been classified at national and/or international level. Click here to access the Masterlist
Cycling Ireland is the National Governing Body for para cycling in Ireland. If you wish to get involved in para cycling, please access the National Governing Body link below.
| Governing Body | |
| National | Cycling Ireland |
| International | International Cycling Union (UCI) |
summary
