Para Cycling

Introduction

One of the sport codes of the sport cycling, para cycling is a sport for the athletes with disability. It is also governed by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale). Para Cycling constitutes of seven different events on road and track. The sport began in the 1980s with the riders who were visually impaired and who competed on a tandem with a sighted partner.

History Of Para Cycling

Para cycling was first performed in the Summer Paralympic Games in 1984, where it only contested the road races for the athletes with cerebral palsy. With time and advancement track cycling was also introduced with a variety of disabilities in various functional categories.

Objective

To ride to the finish point before the other riders.

Events

Road

Following are the road events that are held for the para cyclists:-

• Road race (men and women)
• Individual time trial (men and women)
• Team relay

Track

The track events for the para cyclists include the following:-

• 500 m or 1000 m time trial (men and women)
• Individual pursuit (men and women)
• Tandem sprint (men)
• Team sprint (men and women, mixed event)
• Scratch Race

Participants

Male and female participate in separate and mixed events as well.

Playing Area

The road races are held on road up to a certain distance in every format of the race. The distance for both the men’s and women’s events is different. The track events are held on manmade tracks with different distances for both genders.

Officials

For Track Events

The referee is the official who looks after the following:-

• Check the machines/the track cycles
• Organize the selection for heats
• Ensure that the riders are ready to take the track
• Keep track of the lost laps and gained in distance
• Makes decision in case of breach of the rules in relation to dangerous riding or irregular sprinting
• Their decisions are final and are not subject to appeal

For Road Events

Majorly two officials are required in road cycling events to perform the variety of roles which involves supervising pre and post-race formalities.

It also includes briefing the riders and race officials, checking the compliance of equipment with the norms and much more. When sitting with the panel, they serve as a race jury which is chaired by the Chief Commissaries’ who is responsible for resolving the controversial decisions. The Chief Commissaries’ is the ultimate authority of the event.