Cyclists target Paralympics glory

Furber confident of Paralympic success

British Paralympic cycling coach Chris Furber is hopeful his squad can match the success of the Olympic team.

The Paralympic team topped the table at last year's World Championships in France and will be bidding for more medal success in Beijing.

"Our squad has been inspired by the success of the Olympic riders, but there is no extra pressure on them," Furber told BBC Sport.

"Training alongside the Olympians has given our riders further belief."

In Athens four years ago, the Great Britain Paralympic cyclists won three golds, two silvers and two bronzes with Darren Kenny and the tandem pairing of Aileen McGlynn and Ellen Hunter leading the charge.

Kenny and McGlynn will be aiming to retain their titles, while the likes of former swimmers turned cyclists Jody Cundy and Sarah Storey will be hoping to use their Games expertise to add to Britain's medal haul.

Furber is hoping the team's attention to detail will help to give them that extra advantage at the Laoshan Velodrome, where they will wear the same style of helmets as the Olympic riders.

"The Paralympic cyclists share the same track time, expertise and equipment and enjoy working alongside their Olympic colleagues," he added.

Each of the 10 athletes we have selected has the potential to medal GB Paralympic cycling coach Chris Furber

"Myself and the team manager Helen Mortimer have been in regular contact with our colleagues in Beijing.

"However, we are not just copying the Olympic team and the Paralympic squad are leading the way, for example, UK Sport have assisted with technology and we now have the best tandem bikes in the world.

"The team are well prepared and they are aware of what they have to do."

Great Britain won 13 gold medals at last year's World Championships and followed that up with a number of new personal bests at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester in May to set them up for Beijing.

The cycling events run on the track from 7-10 September with the road races beginning on the 12th and Furber is confident his squad can enjoy success.

"Each of the 10 athletes selected in what is a strong squad has the potential to medal and our target is between six and eight golds," he said.

"We know the track is fast and once again, Australia are our main rivals while the Chinese will be difficult to beat on their home patch."