The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to announce that yesterday para-cyclist John Terrell (USA) significantly broke the UCI Hour Record timed by Tissot in the MC4 category, having covered a distance of 47.904 kilometres at the Velodromo Bicentenario in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
The 29-year-old American para-cyclist improved by 5.44 kilometres the previous record in the C4 class, set on 11 January 2020 by British Wayne Harrod (42.460 km) at the Derby Arena velodrome in the United Kingdom.
A right-arm amputee, John Terrell began his international para-cycling career for the USA in 2022. He won two bronze medals in the scratch and omnium races at the 2022 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (France). Terrell was also successful in the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup last year, with a second place in the road race at the Ostend (Belgium) stage, a victory in the time trial at Elzach (Germany) and with a second place in the overall classification.
Following his successful hour record attempt, John Terrell said: « Setting a new world record is surreal. I hope this inspires current and future para-cyclists to push the boundaries of the sport. My attempt was not perfect, I had a few issues with overheating and saddle discomfort in the first 15 minutes, making the remaining 45 minutes extremely challenging. I reminded myself that the only certainty in life is adversity, and I accepted where I was, continuing to push forward. »
« Prior to my amputation at the age of 19, I was passionate about BMX Freestyle and BMX Racing. Para-cycling has been instrumental in my rehabilitation, benefiting both my mental and physical health. It provides a sense of normalcy and helps me participate in the local and greater community. »
Sport classes for para-cycling track
C - Cyclist: conventional bike with adaptations if necessary
B - Tandem: for blind or partially-sighted athletes with sighted pilot
Group C (1-5) is divided into different sports classes, with a lower number indicating a more severe handicap.