Para-Cycling Road

This is where the rubber meets the road for the world’s fastest and most fearless para-cyclists.

Every mile matters in ruthless contests of speed, stamina and guts. Smart racing will win the day as riders battle for every tactical advantage that will take them to gold medal glory.  

Para-cyclists ride the exact same events under the same rules as their non-disabled counterparts.

The Para-Cycling classification system determines which Para-cyclists are eligible to compete in different categories depending on the impairment.

The Individual Road Race pits riders against each other in an all-out battle for supremacy of Dumfries & Galloway’s roads.

Even though there’s plenty of riders to form the peloton - where you’ll see riders “drafting”, which means following the lead rider for an aerodynamic advantage - there are few places where cyclists feel more alone. Mental toughness is mandatory as it’s every rider for him or herself.

In Individual Time Trials, also taking place in Dumfries & Galloway, riders set off one-by-one at regular intervals of 1-2 minutes. There’s nowhere to hide, no slipstreams to conserve energy in, and nobody in front of you to beat. Just the clock.

Aerodynamics are everything, so you’ll see futuristic bikes, helmets and skinsuits. With sheer speed being top priority, riders have to push the limit of safe racing lines as the twists, turns and tight corners could end a potentially medal winning run at any moment.

The Mixed Team Relay which will be held on Glasgow's city circuit, sees teams of three handcyclists race a road circuit, one at a time. Coordination and communication are key as quick relay changes are essential to a medal finish.