Lynch to attempt first Para Cycling UCI Hour Record

Ireland’s Colin Lynch will be the first Para cyclist to go for the International Cycling Union (UCI) Hour Record since its regulations were extended to Para cycling. He will make the attempt on Saturday (1 October) at 15:30 CET at the velodrome of the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, Great Britain.

Lynch, 45, races in the C2 category and specialises in endurance races where he has enjoyed success at the highest international level.

Medallist five times at different UCI Para Cycling World Championships, he has won two world titles: road time trial in Roskilde, Denmark, in 2011 and the 3km individual pursuit in Los Angeles, USA in 2012. Lynch won the silver medal in the road time trial at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Growing up in Canada, Lynch broke his leg playing rugby at 16 years old. Following complications during his treatment, he had his left leg amputated below the knee. He then took up cycling, a sport he had practised as a child, and in 2010 he made his international debut in Para cycling. Since turning professional at the age of 40, the Irishman has clocked up numerous successes.

Lynch made a first attempt on the UCI Hour Record on 10 October 2015 in Manchester, but had to stop after 42 minutes due to a puncture.

Since then, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has extended its Hour Record Regulations to Para cycling, allowing attempts such as that made by Lynch to be ratified. All attempts made before 2016 will be considered as World Best Performances.

The reference distance in the C2 category is 41.31km in one hour. It was established in 1999 by French athlete Laurent Thirionet.

Lynch’s attempt will be broadcast live on YouTube.

“Since I began in Para cycling in 2008, the UCI Hour Record is something that I’ve had my eye on,” said Lynch. “And after the disappointment of crashing out last year whilst making an attempt, it has been on the forefront of my mind to come back and try again.

“Coming off a successful Paralympic Games, winning silver in the time trial, getting this record would finish off a great year for me – and it is my hope that this attempt will spur on other Para cyclists to make similar attempts.”

UCI President Brian Cookson said: “I wish the best of luck to Colin for his attempt. The extension of our regulations to include Para cycling means we can now ratify attempts in this discipline. A new page is being written in the history of our legendary sport. I invite all fans to watch this historic attempt on Saturday and I hope that Colin’s performance will inspire other athletes, both men and women.”