New world record for Cundy

By Paul Carter

Cyclist Jody Cundy was in top form at the 2007 National Senior and Disability Track Champion ships at the Manchester Velodrome, setting a new world record on his way to winning a gold medal.

The 29-year-old smashed the previous world’s best in the flying 200m time trial, clocking up a time of 11.458.

Cundy said: “I broke the world record at last year’s nationals and I knew that I had been going faster. In qualification, I didn’t go as well as I should have done but I got into sprint mode once I was racing and my legs woke up!”

The former Paralympic swimmer also claimed silver in the non-disabled B Sprint event, as well as finishing inside the top 10 of the non-disabled 1,000m time trial.

He said: “Obviously I’ve beaten able-bodied riders so I did get quite a lot of comments and people enjoyed watching my race. Hopefully, it will help make people more aware of disability cycling and it shows how well things are going in the disability programme. It also gives spectators a name to watch out for, come Beijing, and they’ll know a little bit more about me.”

Jon Morgan, executive director, Disability Sport Wales, said: “Jody is an immense athlete, he trains hard and he puts his all into racing. He’s beginning to get recognition on the track and it’s helpful that he is already attracting attention. I think he’ll have to get used to the limelight in Beijing – he is going to be one of the big stars of the Games.”