CLASSIFICATION IN PARA CYCLING

This is a brief overview of the sport classes and is in no way legally binding. In all cases the sport specific classification rules will take precedence. Should this page be out of date please contact classification@paralympic.org.

Athletes with physical impairments either compete on handcycles, tricycles or bicycles. Athletes with a vision impairment compete on tandems with a sighted “pilot.” 

 

CLASSES

There are different sport classes for handcycling, H1-5, where lower numbers indicating restrictions in both upper and lower limbs, and higher numbers indicating restrictions in lower limbs only. 

Tricycle athletes are divided into two classes, T1 and T2, with the former being allocated to athletes with more significant co-ordination impairments. 

Athletes who are able to use a standard bicycle compete in the five sport classes C1-5, with lower numbers indicating a more severe limitation in lower and/or upper limbs. 

Cyclists with a vision impairment race tandem with a sighted cycler in front.

ELIGIBLE IMPAIRMENT TYPES

Impaired muscle power
Athetosis
Impaired passive range of movement
Hypertonia
Limb deficiency
Ataxia
Leg length difference
Vision Impairment