The 2012 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships begins today with athletes, who are aiming for success at the Paralympic Games in London this summer, using the event as vital preparation.
"This will be a fierce competition between the world's top Paralympic cyclists as the race tightens to qualify for the 2012 London Paralympic Games," said USOC chief of Paralympics Charlie Huebner.
The U.S. team will feature California natives Matt Bigos, Will Chesebro, Vincent Juarez, and Anthony Zahn. Respective 2011 world championships gold and silver medalists Allison Jones and Greta Neimanas will compete in the women's division.
Tandem duos Clark Rachfal and pilot Dave Swanson, Army veteran Chester Triplett and pilot Pete Billington, and Karissa Whitsell and pilot Lisa Turnbull will compete in the visually impaired divisions.
U.S. Paralympics and the Velo Sports Center have teamed up to run the competition. The facility, which opened in 2004, has hosted numerous international and elite events, including the 2005 UCI Elite Track Cycling World Championships.
The 2012 championship marks the first time since 1998 - and just the second time ever - that the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships will be held in the United States. The 2011 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships was held March 11-13 in Montichiari, Italy, and Team USA finished fifth in the overall medal count with six total medals
Attendance for all days of the event is free.
