World’s best Para cyclists descend on South Africa
Europeans start as favourites at Para Cycling Road World Championships 30 Aug 2017The world’s top Para cyclists will gather in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, from 31 August-3 September to compete at the 2017 UCI Para Cycling Road World Championships.
Dutch, US and German cyclists topped the UCI Para Cycling Road World Cup overall rankings and will start as favourites in Pietermaritzburg. Paralympic champions Jetze Plat (men’s H4) of the Netherlands and Hans-Peter Durst (men’s T2) of Germany are some of them, such as USA’s Alicia Dana (H3) and Allison Jones (C2) in the women’s races.
Italy will also be hopeful of landing gold through Paralympic champions Luca Mazzone (men’s H2), Paolo Cecchetto (men’s H3) and Vittorio Podesta (men’s H3). Hosts South Africa will present a strong team led by three-time world champion Pieter Du Preez (men’s H1).
The last edition of the Road Worlds took place in Nottwil, Switzerland, in 2015, with Germany winning the most medals overall (six golds, nine silvers and six bronze), but Italy taking the top spot in the medals table thanks to their nine golds, one silver and five bronze.