Five VIS cyclists have been named in the 2016 Australian Paralympic Cycling Team announced by the Australian Paralympic Committee in Adelaide on Monday, which also marked 100 days to go until the Rio 2016 Games.
The 16-member team boasts 13 athletes and three sighted pilots plus a great blend of youth and experience, with four reigning Paralympic champions joined by six debutants and two athletes contesting their second Games in a second sport.
The team will be spearheaded by the likes of reigning Paralympic Champion Carol Cooke, Michael Gallagher who is chasing a third gold in as many Games, with Stuart Tripp gunning for gold in his second Paralympic appearance.
Jessica Gallagher, a dual Winter Paralympic medallist and London Paralympic athletics competitor makes her first cycling team, while reigning road world champion Alistair Donohoe will make his debuts.
Announcing the team at the Adelaide Super-Drome today, Chef de Mission of the 2016 Australian Paralympic Team Kate McLoughlin said Australia’s cycling team would aim to cement itself as one of the world’s very best.
“The talent on this team is enormous, which is evident in the fact that nearly every athlete has won either a Paralympic or World Championship medal,” McLoughlin said.
“I’m confident that the 2016 cycling team is one of the strongest Australia has ever produced, and I’m looking forward to seeing the team aim for a top three finish on the track, and to be amongst the top 10 in road cycling.”
The Rio Paralympic Games will take place from 7-18 September, 2016.
