What is Para-cycling?

Para-cycling is a form of cycling for athletes with physical disabilities. It is a Paralympic sport and includes several different classifications based on the type and severity of disability.

Para-cycling events can be held on both road and track, and athletes may compete individually or in teams. The equipment used in para-cycling varies depending on the disability classification of the athlete, but may include handcycles, recumbent bicycles, and tandem bicycles.

Para-cycling competitions are governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and follow similar rules to able-bodied cycling events. There are several different types of para-cycling events, including time trials, road races, and team relays.

Para-cycling provides a platform for athletes with disabilities to showcase their skills and athleticism, and it is an important avenue for promoting inclusion and diversity in the sport of cycling.

Are all disabilities and impairment types eligible for a classification? 

No,

Not all disabilities and impairment types are eligible for a classification in para-cycling. To be eligible for classification, an athlete must have an eligible impairment that meets the criteria set by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

The IPC defines eligible impairments as those that result in a permanent and verifiable activity limitation. The UCI has established specific criteria for each of the four categories (C, B, H, and T) to determine eligibility for classification.

Additionally, athletes must be able to perform the skills required in their specific classification, and their impairment must have a significant impact on their ability to perform those skills.

If an athlete's impairment does not meet the eligibility criteria for one of the four categories, they may still be eligible for classification in other sports or activities. The IPC and individual sports organizations have specific guidelines and criteria for classification, and athletes must meet those guidelines to compete in para sports.

What events are in para-cycling?

Para-cycling events include three road events and six track events. 

The road events are: 

1. road race (men and women),

2. individual time trial (men and women),

3. handcycling team relay (men and women, mixed event). 

The track events are:

1. tandem 1000 m (men and women)

2. tandem pursuit 4000 m  (men and women)

3. team sprint (men and women, mixed event)

4. 500 m time trial ( women)

5. 1000 m time trial (men) 

6. individual pursuit (men C1-C3 3 km & C4-C5 4 km and women C1-C5 3 km )

7. scratch race (men and women).

Para-cycling events consist of three road races and six track events, and athletes are grouped based on the degree of ability limitation resulting from their impairment using a classification system. The purpose of classification is to minimize the impact of impairment on competition outcomes, allowing the athlete with the best skills, physical fitness, athletic talent, and training to succeed.

What are the C, B, H and T categories in para-cycling?

The C, B, H, and T categories in para-cycling are classifications that are used to group athletes with similar types and severities of disabilities together for competition purposes. 

Here's a complete list of the para-cycling categories and the equipment used in each:

• C category: athletes with impairments affecting their legs, arms, and/or trunk who compete on standard bicycles.

• B category: athletes with visual impairments who compete on a tandem bicycle with a sighted pilot.

• H category: athletes with impairments affecting their legs, arms, and/or trunk who compete on handcycles and kneelers.

• T category: athletes with impairments affecting their balance who compete on tricycles (not handcycles).

Each category is further divided into subclasses based on the level of impairment, with lower subclass numbers indicating more severe impairments. These classifications allow athletes with similar disabilities to compete on a level playing field and provide a fair and equitable competition environment.

What does the number following the category represent?

Para-cycling athletes are classified based on their degree of activity limitation resulting from their impairment.

It's worth noting that each category within para-cycling has specific rules and criteria for equipment, race distances, and other factors to ensure fair competition.

The C classification system uses a standard bike with adaptions and has five categories, with C1 being the most severe impairment and C5 being the least severe.

Here's a brief overview of the classification system in para-cycling:

• C1: Athletes in this class have the most significant activity limitations, which can include the absence of limbs or significant muscle weakness.

• C2: Athletes in this class have less severe activity limitations than C1 athletes, typically involving limb deficiency or less muscle strength.

• C3: Athletes in this class have less severe activity limitations than C2 athletes, typically involving neurological impairments that affect coordination or balance.

• C4: Athletes in this class have less severe activity limitations than C3 athletes, typically involving single limb deficiency or moderate neurological impairment.

• C5: Athletes in this class have the least severe activity limitations, typically involving mild neurological impairment or minimal limb deficiency.

The B classification is divided into three subcategories for classification purposes: B1, B2, and B3. However, all B (blind and visually impaired) athletes compete under the same B category in para-cycling events. The B classification is based on the degree of visual impairment, with B1 being the most severe and B3 being the least severe.

While all five H categories in para-cycling use handcycles, there are differences in the level and type of impairment that each category represents. Here is a breakdown of the differences between each category:

• H1: Athletes with the most severe impairments affecting the legs, arms, and trunk. They typically have limited or no use of their legs and trunk, and may have limited use of their arms. These athletes use a handcycle with a reclined seating position and compete in time trials and road races.

• H2: Athletes with impairments affecting the legs, arms, and trunk, but with less severe impairments than H1 athletes. They have some use of their arms and upper body, but may have limited use of their legs and trunk. These athletes use a handcycle with a reclined seating position and compete in time trials and road races.

• H3: Athletes with impairments affecting the legs and trunk, but with less severe impairments than H1 and H2 athletes. They have more functional use of their legs and trunk, but may still require a handcycle for racing. These athletes use a handcycle with a more upright seating position and compete in time trials and road races.

• H4: Athletes with impairments affecting one or both legs and some degree of impairment in the trunk. They have functional use of their arms, but may require adaptations to the handcycle for racing. These athletes use a handcycle with a more upright seating position and compete in time trials and road races.

• H5: Athletes with impairments affecting one or both legs but no significant trunk impairment. They have functional use of their arms and upper body, and use a handcycle with a more traditional bike-like seating position. These athletes compete in time trials and road races.

• The H categories allow athletes with different types and levels of impairments to compete in para-cycling on a level playing field, based on their functional abilities.

As with the C1-C5 categories, each H subcategory within para-cycling has specific rules and criteria for equipment, race distances, and other factors to ensure fair competition.

The T category in para-cycling has two subdivisions: 

T1 athletes have more severe impairments, while T2 athletes have less severe impairments. Both T1 and T2 athletes compete using a tricycle with the specific equipment used dependent on the athlete's level of impairment.