Gold Coast 2018: Sophie Thornhill back for more

Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott could collect double gold for the second time in less than a month, as they star in the track cycling competition at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Two days of Para track cycling will be held, beginning Thursday (5 April) with women’s sprint B&VI and men’s 1,000m time trial B&VI.

At the UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships in Brazil, Thornhill and Scott collected a pair of gold medals.

In Rio de Janeiro in March, the tandem blazed the 1,000m time trial in 1:05.079, beating Thornhill’s own world record set with pilot Rachel James four years ago. The pair – who are representing Team England – also set the world record in the sprint tandem at the 2018 Worlds.

Both times, Thornhill and Scott bumped Australians Jessica Gallagher and pilot Madison Janssen to silver medal positions.

For the Australians, racing in their home velodrome could be an opportunity for redemption.

On the men’s side, Neil Fachie and pilot Matt Rotherham are the heavy favourites for gold. The Scottish tandem are fresh off double golds from the 2018 Worlds in Rio.

Full Para track cycling schedule

5 April

Women’s sprint B&VI

Men’s 1,000m time trial B&VI

7 April

Men’s sprint B&VI

Women’s 1,000m time trial B&VI