Jody Cundy at the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Montichiari. Picture: KELKEL

Cundy vows to lay down London 2012 marker at UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
2:45 PM

PARALYMPIC icon Jody Cundy has vowed to lay down a marker for London 2012 by blazing a golden trail at this weekend’s UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships.

Jody Cundy celebrates his victory in the 1km time trial at the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Italy. Picture: KELKEL

The fastest Paralympic cyclist in history bagged two gold medals, two world records and a surprise silver at last year’s world championships in Italy.

The BBC East 2011 Disabled Sports Personality of the Year now hopes to retain his titles during the event in Los Angeles, USA, to send out a message before his home Games later this year.

Cundy, 33, from Walpole St Andrew, said: “The way I performed last year was amazing and I’m training as quick - or quicker - than I was racing then which means I’m going well.

“The plan is to retain my titles and maybe improve on last year’s silver in the 4km pursuit.

Bike troubles

WORLD championship preparations did not get off to the ideal start for Fenland’s Paralympic star – after his road bike was damaged in transit on the flight to Los Angeles.

Cundy arrived in America to find a large crack in the frame of the bike, which he uses for outdoor cycling. Thankfully his race bike, which he uses for the track competition, survived the journey unscathed.

The world record holder posted pictures of the damaged bike on Twitter and said: “Well, made it to LA in one piece, unfortunately my road bike hasn’t. It’s cracked. I’m guessing it’s karma for getting the upgrade!”

“To go to London 2012 as the world champion still - especially in the kilo - would be a major boost.”

Cundy raced to a silver medal on his 4km pursuit debut before winning the 1km Time Trial (kilo) at last year’s world event in Montichiari - smashing the world record in the process with a time of 1:05.144.

He sealed his most successful championships by joining Great Britain team-mates Darren Kenny and Terry Byrne to take gold in the Team Sprint in a world-record time of 49.540. Rule changes mean Byrne will be replaced by Sarah Storey in this year’s Team Sprint.

Cundy will compete in the pursuit on Friday before Saturday’s kilo and Sunday’s Team Sprint contests.

He said: “As soon as the calendar hit 2012 it made the Olympics feel a lot more real.

“I can’t wait for the Games but the world championships will always be important and I want to put in a good performance.”