Para cycling World Cup season kicks off

Maniago, Italy, will host the first stage from 12-14 May, launching the road Para cycling season. 10 May 2017

Italy's Alex Zanardi in action on his way to winning gold at London 2012 in the men's individual time trial H4.

ⒸGetty Images

By UCI

The road Para cycling season will be launched in Maniago, Italy, with the first World Cup taking place from 12-14 May.

The athletes will then travel to Ostende, Belgium, to compete between 18-21 May. The third and last World Cup will be held in Emmen, the Netherlands, from 30 June-2 July.

The most consistent athletes over the three World Cups will finish top of the overall rankings and will be awarded the leader’s jerseys.

Team Italy is planning to make an impression on home soil this weekend with around 60 athletes, including Rio 2016 Paralympic gold medallists Paolo Cecchetto (H3), Luca Mazzone (H2), Vittorio Podesta (H3), and Alessandro Zanardi (H5).

Canada are also hopeful of achieving a win through Tristen Chernove (C2), who took gold in the men’s time trial at his maiden Paralympics last year. He followed that up with one silver and one bronze.

The road season will come to a close with the UCI Para cycling Road World Championships in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, from 31 August-3 September.

Full story can be found on UCI’s website.