Five NSWIS Para-cyclists pedalling towards Rio

May 30, 2016 marked 100 days until the commencement of the Rio Paralympic Games, and with the passing of the milestone there were five NSWIS athletes confirmed as members of the Australian team at an announcement in Adelaide. 

The Australian Paralympic Committee have named NSWIS riders Amanda Reid, Matt Formston, Nicholas Yallouris (pilot for Matt Formston), Simone Kennedy and Alex Lisney among a host of Australia’s brightest Para-cyclists. 

Seven-time Paralympian Kieran Modra who has contested in track and field, swimming and cycling previously will head the team up, with NSWIS athlete Reid joining him in becoming a multi-sport Paralympian after she contested the 2012 London Games as a swimmer. 

Also making his debut is NSWIS pilot Yallouris who joins Queensland pair Madison Janssen and David Edwards as debutant pilots at the Paralympic Games. 

Speaking with Cycling Australia, Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin was full of praise for the experience selected on the team. 

“The talent on this team is enormous, which is evident in the fact that nearly every athlete has won either a Paralympic or World Championship medal,” McLoughlin said.

“I’m confident that the 2016 cycling team is one of the strongest Australia has ever produced, and I’m looking forward to seeing the team aim for a top three finish on the track, and to be amongst the top 10 in road cycling.”

Australia has won 34 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medal at the Paralympic Games since Atlanta 1996, and in London, Australia achieved 14 medals, six of which were gold.

Paralympic cycling is divided into track and road events and is open to all athletes who meet minimum physical requirements. Athletes who compete with neurological impairments ride standard racing bikes and in some classes tricycles, while vision impaired athletes compete on tandem bicycles. Athletes with amputations or permanent movement deficiencies use bicycles specially modified for their needs.

Originally posted by Cycling Australia as: “Australian Paralympic Team Announced”