Dame Sarah Storey announced her retirement from professional sport on Thursday, 34 years after her first Paralympic gold medal.

The 48-year-old is the most successful British Paralympian of all time, with 19 gold medals, 14 of which came in cycling, plus a further 39 titles at the UCI Para Track and Road World Championships.

Before turning to cycling, which began in the mid-2000s, Storey was a champion swimmer, with five Paralympic gold medals and six world titles in the pool. She first competed at the 1992 games in Barcelona, going on to represent GB in Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Paris.

"I am so privileged to have spent 35 years as an international athlete. I genuinely pinch myself that my childhood dream of being an athlete for as long as I possibly could has led to nine Paralympic Games and opportunities across so many sporting events," Storey said in a press release.

"This has included women’s and Para sport alike, and I feel so proud to have contributed – alongside so many incredible people – to the progress we’ve all witnessed and enjoyed in that time."

Ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Storey is keen to use her position to push Para sport forward, saying that it is at a "critical stage".

"There’s also no doubt in my mind that, within Para sport, we have stalled somewhat since London 2012, and the years between each Games haven’t been utilised well enough to create the momentum that I and others hoped to see," she explained.

"I see this as a critical stage; there are many areas of Para sport that still need attention, and that is something that has played a big part in my decision. I fully believe that I can have a greater impact off my bike, rather than chasing a tenth Games and possibly further titles.

"I’m excited to be part of a future where we inject the momentum that is needed to ensure the future is bright for all Para athletes."

Storey has also won titles at the British National Track Championships and UCI Track Cycling World Cups, competing alongside able-bodied athletes. She was also nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year twice, in 2012 and 2024, and is Manchester's Active Travel Commissioner, as well as being Chair of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Her last world titles came at the UCI Road World Championships in Zürich in 2024, after she had won the C5 time trial and C4-5 road race at the Paris Paralympics.

“Physically, I fully believe that I could be on that start line in Los Angeles, confident of defending my two titles from Paris," Storey added. "However, I believe I can now be a more positive influence leveraging new roles and opportunities that allow me to fight for Para sport, and the coverage that it deserves.”

Lord Sebastian Coe, the president of the IAAF, who was in charge of the organising committee for the London 2012 games said: "Para sport was an enormously significant part of London 2012, and I remain extremely proud of what we were able to deliver.

"However, the issues that Dame Sarah raises upon her retirement resonate with me hugely – sport must continue to take those small but steady steps forward to ensure that what has gone before is not wasted."

Dame Sarah Storey continued to make history at the Para-cycling Road World Championships on Saturday, claiming the 39th world title of her career in the C5 road race.

The British rider also stormed to victory in the C5 individual time trial earlier this week, meaning that this is the 10th time she has done the double at the Worlds, winning both of her events.

A former swimmer, the 46-year-old has won 45 world titles across her sporting career, 39 of which have come in cycling disciplines, including time trials, road races and track events.

"39 in cycling, to add to the mere six that I got in the swimming pool when I was a youngster," Storey told Cycling Weekly post-race. "It's immense, I'm sure it'll start to sink in. It's been an incredible month, the Paralympic Games. I'm obviously on good form, I couldn't have wished for a better season really.

Asked if she would continue, in a category she has dominated for over a decade, Storey replied: "I don't know yet, I need to sit down and let this sink in first. I'll never be far away from my bike, I cycle to work a lot, and that provides me with a relaxed platform off of which to put the race season together."

The race was run in grim conditions, with Zürich experiencing more of the heavy rain it has suffered from all week, but this worked in the 19-time Paralympic champion's favour.

"The start of the race wasn't too bad, it was drizzling, but at some point in the finishing circuit the heavens opened harder than ever," she explained. "The girls were taking it to the climb pretty hard, which suited me. Stringing it out, which was a good pace, gave me a platform off of which to unleash my time trial power. When it's wet like this it's harder to get out of the saddle without your wheels slipping, so that suits riders like me who go well in the saddle.

"I managed to get over the top with about 1:50, which was more than I'd anticipated, which also meant I could take the descent nice and steady. Once I was on the finishing circuit, it was just a power loop. Keep doing that, make sure I had enough to eat and drink and make sure I'm heading off to the finish.

"It's just about making the calculations that you're going the right speed, the speed that you know will keep you ahead, but also be sustainable. Choosing the places on the course to eat and drink, but I didn't need to drink much today because the water was seeping in through the skin but making sure you have enough energy, because you're on the TT power for most of the race, on the limit."

Zürich 2024 is the first-ever time the para-cycling and able bodied Road Worlds have happened at the same time, something Storey has spent a long time campaigning for. However, it is currently destined to be the last, with no successor event planned.

"I looked at the Road Worlds when I was putting my name down to be selected for the women's events, and I thought there were so many gaps, so many days where there is nothing happened," she said. "For people who are giving up their roads to us, maybe we could fill those roads with para events. We obviously had a fantastic platform in Yorkshire 2019 where we had a C1 event the day before the Worlds started. That showed there was an apetite there from the fans as well as the nations.

"Now we need more organisers to step up and do that. Because there isn't one in the pipeline so far. The mega-Worlds are happening again in 2027, but the logistics are such that it's tricky. This is it, this is what we train for, and this is what I hoped would happen in my career, and it has."

The same C5 race saw Morgan Newberry, a British cyclist at the other end of her career, take her first medal at the Worlds: "I've worked hard for this, and it's nice to get the result today It just feels like it has been a long time coming, and I'm glad I've followed the journey and kept going, and now I've got silver."

She too has appreciated the combined Worlds: "It has been really cool, it's great just to have the media around and everyone is obviously watching, and the course was a level up to a anything we've had before. That played to my advantage really, it was really good."

Also on Saturday, GB took gold in the women's C1 road race through Fran Brown, and second and fourth in the C2 road race through Daphne Schrager and Amelia Cass, respectively.

Dame Sarah Storey won her 38th career para-cycling world title at the UCI World Championships on Sunday, storming to victory in the C5 individual time trial. 

The Brit commanded her way around the 29.9km course in Zurich, Switzerland winning by one minute and 36 seconds ahead of France's Heïdi Gaugain, and claiming her country's first gold medal of the event. 

A former swimmer, the 46-year-old has won 44 world titles across her sporting career, 38 of which have come in cycling disciplines, including time trials, road races and track events. 

Earlier this month, Storey, GB's most decorated Paralympian of all time, won her 18th and 19th Paralympic gold medals, taking the double in the C5 time trial and C4-5 road race at the Paris Games. 

"It feels mega, absolutely mega," she said of her latest triumph. "I didn't have any preconceptions about how this morning would go. Obviously everything went so perfectly at the Paralympic Games in Paris two weeks ago, and I just hoped my form would stay with me, and that I could ride the rollercoaster of adrenaline."

Storey led through both of the two intermediate time checks in Zurich, building up a 47-second advantage after just 10.4km of racing. She ended up winning comfortably, with an average speed of almost 40km/h.

"Today's the first time I’ve ridden the course on a time trial bike because cancelled flights and challenges meant that the bike wasn’t actually built until late last night. I enjoyed the course on my road bike, and I loved it even more on my time trial bike," she said.

"Obviously I train so hard back at home, which I've been juggling now since I became a mum in 2013, and had a second child in 2017. I've got an incredibly supportive family. My husband and my mum and dad and our two kids are always there with us, and my in-laws as well.

"I'm very fortunate to have that backing, and I like to think I repay them by putting out my best performances on race day." 

Storey will have the chance to go for a 39th cycling world title next Saturday 28 September when she will compete in the C5 road race. 

The 46-year-old's time trial gold was one of three medals earned by British athletes on the second day of competition in Zurich. Sophie Unwin and her pilot Jenny Holl earned silver in the women's tandem time trial, with fellow GB pairing Lora Fachie and Corinne Hall taking bronze. 

The women's tandem time trial was won by Ireland's Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly, the Paralympic gold medallists. 

Seventeen-time gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey will compete in her ninth Paralympic Games next month. 

The 46-year-old, who won three gold medals in Tokyo in 2021, has been officially announced as part of the 23-rider Team GB squad for the Paris Games, which was revealed today by British Cycling. 

Alongside Storey, track cyclist Jody Cundy will make his eighth appearance at the Paralympics, while tandem riders Neil and Lora Fachie have also been selected, together with their respective pilots. 

Storey will defend her time trial and road race titles in the C5 category in Paris. At the last Paralympics, she became Great Britain's most successful Paralympian of all time; she made her debut as a swimmer in 1992, before first competing as a cyclist in 2008. 

"I couldn't have imagined going to eight Games, let alone winning medals at every Games, and 17 of those medals being gold," she said in 2021.

In a recent interview with the International Paralympic Committee, Storey said she now feels "as fit as I have ever been" going into her ninth Games. "For me, it would be amazing to win again and say I have won medals at nine consecutive summer Games. I don't think anyone has ever done that," she said. 

Also a former swimmer, Cundy's eighth Paralympic appearance will see him compete in the C4-5 kilometre time trial, an event in which he has won 15 consecutive world titles, and the mixed team sprint. 

The 45-year-old was part of the trio that won gold in the team sprint in Tokyo, setting the world record in the final. 

"I think getting to Paris is an achievement in itself," the eight-time Paralympic gold medallist told Cycling Weekly earlier this year. "If I still love the sport, and I'm still capable of doing it, I will keep doing it. As long as GB still want me on the squad, I will keep doing it."

The track cycling events at the Paris Paralympics will take place between 29 August and 1 September. They will be followed by the road cycling events, held between 4 and 7 September. 

The full Team GB cycling squad is listed below.

Team GB Paralympics squad

Men’s B 

James Ball piloted by Steffan Lloyd – MB 1,000m time-trial, MB individual pursuit 

Steve Bate piloted by Chris Latham – MB individual pursuit, MB road race, MB time-trial  

Neil Fachie piloted by Matt Rotherham - MB 1,000m time-trial, MB individual pursuit 

Men’s C2 

Matt Robertson – C2 individual pursuit, C2 time-trail, C1-3 road race 

Men’s C3 

Fin Graham - C1-3 1,000m time-trial, C3 individual pursuit, mixed team sprint, C3 time-trial, C1-3 road race 

Jaco van Gass – C1-3 1,000m time-trial, C3 individual pursuit, C3 time-trial, C1-3 road race 

Ben Watson - C3 time-trial, C1-3 road race 

Men’s C4 

Archie Atkinson – C4 individual pursuit, C4-5 1,000m time-trial, C4 time-trial, C4-5 road race 

Jody Cundy – C4-5 1,000m time-trial, mixed team sprint 

Men’s C5 

Blaine Hunt - C5 individual pursuit, C4-5 1,000m time-trial, C4-5 road race 

Women’s B 

Lora Fachie piloted by Corrine Hall – WB 1,000m time-trial, WB individual pursuit, WB time-trial, WB road race 

Lizzi Jordan piloted by Danni Khan - WB 1,000m time-trial, WB individual pursuit, WB time-trial, WB road race 

Sophie Unwin piloted by Jenny Holl - WB 1,000m time-trial, WB individual pursuit, WB time-trial, WB road race 

Women’s C1 

Fran Brown – C1-3 time-trial, C1-3 road race, C1-3 time-trial 

Women’s C2 

Daphne Schrager – C1-3 individual pursuit, C1-3 road race, C1-3 time-trial 

Women’s C4 

Kadeena Cox – C4-5 time-trial, mixed team sprint 

Women’s C5 

Dame Sarah Storey – C5 time-trial, C4-5 road race 

British Cycling has announced the 14 riders who will compete at the road race and time trial events in the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships in Canada. 

The event takes place from 11-14 August in Baie-Comeau. 

Dame Sarah Storey, the reigning World and Paralympic champion, will be aiming to add to her 11 world titles, and will be competing in both events. Morgan Newberry will also join Storey in the C5 category whilst Daphne Schrager will compete in the C3 road race and time trial. Scrager reached the podium at last year’s championships and will be aiming for a repeat of her past success.

In the women’s tandem races, Sophie Unwin and pilot Jenny Holl will be reunited and will be looking to add a time-trial gold to their road race title they achieved last year. 

In the men’s events, new pairing Chris McDonald and pilot Adam Duggleby will contest the MB events, while Felix Barrow and Matthew Robertson will compete for rainbow jerseys in the T2 and C2 categories, respectively. 

Double Paralympic gold medalist Ben Watson will line up for the C3 events, as will Tokyo silver medalist Fin Graham. Current time-trial world champion George Peasgood will compete in both C4 events, while Matthew Faucher will line up in both H5 hand-cycling events.

On the 14 strong selection, Great Britain Cycling team performance director, Stephen Park CBE said: 

“We have an incredibly talented squad of para-cyclists, and going into the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships with five reigning world champions, some in more than one discipline, really highlights the success we’ve enjoyed at this event over recent years."

"After recent World Cup successes across the team, I am excited to see what our returning athletes will deliver, as well as how riders competing in their debut world championships measure up at this level.”

The upcoming championships will be the Great Britain Cycling Team’s first championships since the Tokyo paralympics. Furthermore it will be the first competition for the team after a number of coaching changes in recent months.

On the reshuffling of the coaching team, Park added: 

“With now only two years until the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games I’m really pleased that Helen Scott and David Daniell have both settled quickly into their roles, providing coaching and support to help our riders fulfil their potential.”

Full Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships

MEN

Matthew Robertson MC2

Finlay Graham MC3

Ben Watson MC3

George Peasgood MC4

Matthew Faucher MH5

Felix Barrow MT2

WOMEN

Fran Brown WC1

Daphne Schrager WC3

Sarah Storey WC5

Morgan Newberry WC5

TANDEMS

Sophie Unwin piloted by Jenny Holl WB

Chris McDonald piloted by Adam Duggleby MB

Dame Sarah Storey is seeking three female riders aged 18-24 to join the Skoda DSI Cycling Academy.

Applications are open for "passionate" amateur riders to join the year-long, inclusive programme, that seeks to maximise young female potential within the sport.

Cyclists can apply through Skoda's website, and are asked to provide details of their cycling experience and training schedule, as well as answering questions on their cycling ambitions. The deadline is 28 February.

The successful applicants will then be invited to a testing day on Monday 28 March at the Lee Valley VeloPark where the selected riders will be "put through their paces by Dame Sarah Storey and other Skoda ambassadors".

There will be a series of tests, including a peak power test, a three-minute maximal test, and a 12-minute steady state challenge, as well as an assessment of the riders’ bike handling skills.

Storey is Britain's most succesful Paralympian, with her three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics taking her to 28 medals overall.

She said it was a "fantastic opportunity" for young women to maximise their opportunities.

“I’m delighted to be able to recruit three new riders to the Skoda Academy for this the fourth year since its inception," Storey said. "The now annual programme will enable ambitious young women to further develop their skills both on and off the bike via a series of events. 

"Whether you are already racing at a regional or national level or have just taken up cycling, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a unique and inspiring programme, where you not only get to travel and witness some of the world’s best riders in action, but you will also learn more about how to maximise your opportunities alongside school, university, and other responsibilities in life."

She continued: "I’ve had so much fun supporting Skoda riders over the past three years and I’m always incredibly proud to see them go on to achieve the next step in their career as happened with four riders from the 2021 programme.”

Riders will gain insight from Storey on training, racing and career progression. The plan is designed to sit alongside existing cycling or club activities. Members of the academy will be invited along to Skoda-sponsored cycling events including the Tour de France.

The three new riders will join three existing academy riders, Maddi Aldam-Gates, Gwyneth Parry and Olivia French, who were selected for the programme last year.

French urged young riders to apply: "I cannot emphasise enough how important the Skoda DSI Cycling Academy has been in developing my performance on the bike. 

"Behind the scenes ride experiences at some of the biggest events alongside learning from Dame Sarah Storey, a cycling legend, have been invaluable for me. If you’re a young female cyclist with a passion for the sport, then I wholeheartedly recommend that you try out."

Megan Dickerson, Meredith Gilbert, Morgan Newberry, and Rebecca Richards all graduated from the academy at the end of 2021. 

Dame Sarah Storey has made it to the list of nominees for BBC's Sports Personality of the Year 2021.

Storey took three gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, increasing her total to an incredible 28 medals and making her the most successful Brit at the Paralympics.

The cyclist also won a UK Sport award on Tuesday, picking up a gong for Social Impact. Alongside her career as an athlete, Storey campaigns for changes to driving and road safety and champions women and girls in sport. 

She has worked with British Cycling on road safety, and earlier this year joined South Yorkshire police on a close-pass cycling patrol. Storey said: "One road death for me is one too many, and we need to make sure we all take that responsibility on."

Notable omissions from the list included Mark Cavendish as well as Jason and Laura Kenny.

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The 'Manx Missile' Cavendish won four stages of the Tour de France, gaining the points jersey as well as equalling the record for most stage victories at the race and six more wins this season after coming back from Epstein Barr virus and depression to take his first wins since 2018.

Jason and Laura Kenny scoop up the titles of most successful British Olympian and most successful British female Olympian, after both scoring gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with Jason on nine medals and Laura on six medals, all but one being gold.

But this has not seen them make the list of nominees either with the BBC announcing that the athletes nominated are diver Tom Daley, heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, swimmer Adam Peaty, first British female tennis Grand Slam winner in 44-years Emma Raducanu, Manchester City footballer Raheem Sterling and the previously mentioned Dame Sarah Storey.

Daley achieved a gold medal at his fourth Olympic Games (his knitting hobby also making news around the world), undefeated boxer Fury took another world title from Deontay Wilder after twice being knocked to the floor by the American, Peaty became the first British swimmer to defend his Olympic title.

Raducanu broke a 44-year curse, and won US Open at the age of 18, Sterling performed brilliantly for England at the Euros -  though that wasn't enough to take the trophy in the end - and finally, Storey charged to her 28th medal and 17th gold at her eighth Paralympics.

Three cyclists have won the Sports Personality of the Year award in the last 10 years, Cavendish himself winning in 2011, Sir Bradley Wiggins after his amazing Tour win and Olympic gold in 2012 and Geraint Thomas in 2018, not to mention Sir Chris Hoy in 2008.

Four riders have graduated from Dame Sarah Storey's development academy to take their first steps into the pro scene.

The Skoda DSI Academy is set up to support young women on their journey towards the professional peloton, led by Dame Sarah Storey.

The four riders that have graduated from the academy are Morgan Newberry from Leicester, Lucy Ellmore from Harrogate, Rebecca Richards from Newark and Megan Dickerson from Bristol.

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Cycling Weekly spoke to Newberry as she will will be joining Storey Racing in 2022 alongside fellow graduate Richards, with Newberry looking ahead at some very big goals as she follows the footsteps, or rather pedal strokes, of Storey as she has the same disability.

"I am working towards some big events in the future and would really love the Paralympics to be one of those, whether 2024 [in Paris] or further into the future. The individual pursuit and road race are the two events that excite me the most. 

"Sarah set an incredible, scary, World Record in Tokyo for the individual pursuit so there's loads to work towards and challenge myself too."

Having the same disability as Storey has meant she has learnt from the very best as to how to get the best out of herself on the bike with the same set-up as Britain's greatest Paralympian.

"It definitely has been very useful to have the advice from the best," she continued. 

"And even more useful to have the same disability. Sarah understands the challenges and has already found solutions to these challenges that she has been able to pass on. Both Sarah and Barney (Storey's husband) have been brilliant at getting my bike set-up sorted, creating a cradle adaptation and advising on changes such as with the gears."

Newberry said she got into cycling while taking her A levels as a hobby that battled stress helping her get to university.

"I then got involved with the university club [Sheffield Hallam] and from there were opportunities such as the university organised races which I really enjoyed and gave me a brilliant taste for racing," she said. 

"I applied to the academy along with 350 other applicants in 2019 and was one of the successful 5 to join the team. We have been at the receiving end of some brilliant opportunities since joining and it's really cool that Sarah heads up the academy."

Dame Sarah Storey said its “hard to put into words,” as she took her 15th Paralympic gold medal, putting her just one gold away from the all-time British record at the Games. 

The 43-year-old former swimmer turned cyclist put in a storming performance during the C5 3,000 metre individual pursuit in Tokyo on Wednesday (August 25), beating fellow Brit Crystal Lane-Wright in the gold medal final. 

Storey’s time qualifying time 3-27.057 was a new world record and helped her to the final, where she caught Lane-Wright to win her 15th career gold Paralympic medal, just one gold off the British record held by swimmer Mike Kenny.

Speaking after her victory, Storey said: “It’s quite overwhelming, 

“It’s hard to put into words. I’ve won a medal at every single Games I’ve been to and this is my fourth time in a row winning the individual pursuit. 

“I knew it was in me but I just needed to get the right day and right preparation. It has been an incredibly difficult preparation because it is so different to what I am used to. I just had to call upon all of my experience and know that I was capable of staying calm under that pressure.”

Storey, who was born without a fully functioning left hand, started her Paralympic career at  the 1992 Barcelona Games as 14-year-old swimmer. 

She now has two opportunities to break the British record - the women’s C5 road time trial on Tuesday (August 31), followed by the road race on Thursday, September 2. 

There was more medal success on the track for Team GB, as defending men’s B 4,000 individual pursuit champion Stephen Bate and pilot Adam Duggleby took silver, beaten by the dutch pair Tristan Bangma and Patrick Bos for gold. 

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On Thursday (August 25), Jaco Van Gass smashed the world record and won gold for GB in the C3 3,000m individual pursuit, just ahead of compatriot Finlay Graham. 

Jody Cundy became the first ever British athlete to win a medal at seven Paralympic Games with silver in the men’s C4-5 1,000m time trial, while Aileen McGlynn and Helen Scott took silver in the women’s B 1,000m time trial.   

On the morning of Friday April 18, 2014, 138 riders assembled in the village of Longnor, near Buxton in Derbyshire, for the start of the Buxton CC Mountain Time Trial.

In the 42 years since the club had first organised the event it had come to be regarded as one of the most challenging time trials in the country, attracting some top names keen to test their legs on the hilly terrain.

That day in 2014 Dame Sarah Storey, Joanna Rowsell and Katie Archibald were the headline acts of a strong field.

Two years previously Storey had won the 22-mile women’s event on a wet and slushy course after snow had threatened the postponement of the race.

This time round, in glorious sunshine, Archibald took home the £80 prize after blitzing the course in just over one hour and finishing 32 seconds ahead of Storey with Rowsell one and a half minutes back in third.

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A domestic, early-season time trial it may have been, but this was a podium of Olympic, Paralympic and world champions, past and future. Archibald’s winning time of 1:00:02 was a record, a mark that still stands.

Punishing parcours

Today held as a round of the six-event Knight Composites Classic Series, the mountain time trial was first organised by Buxton CC in 1972.

Initially the club used two laps of a 16-mile circuit that started and finished on Grin Low Road, near Harper Hill, and headed south along the A53 before turning east and descending to Longnor, returning to Grin Low Road via the B5053.

The route topped out at just over 500m. Forty-four riders entered that first event, which was won by M.W.Potts who covered the 32 miles in 1:31:46.

Other than a four-year period between 1974 and 1977, the club used the same circuit until 1990 when the start/finish line was moved to Longnor.

The route was tweaked in 2002 to that used today, starting outside the village’s primary school and heading towards Axe Edge before turning south and the highest point of the route (480m) near Black Brook Nature Reserve. A descent back to Longnor with a number of stiff climbs en route completes the 11-mile lap.

Senior men take in three laps, everyone else tackles the circuit twice. It’s a tough examination amid spectacular scenery.

With the event traditionally taking place on Good Friday the elements can play their part as well. When an athlete of Storey’s stature describes an event as “brutal”, as she did when recounting her 2012 win, it pays to take notice.

The 2018 edition is on March 30. The men’s event record is held by Stuart Dangerfield, who registered 1:22:13 in 2003. Geoff Platts and Matt Bottrill share the record for most wins with seven each.

Multiple Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey has withdrawn from the 2018 Para-cycling Track World Championships (March 22-25) over concerns regarding an outbreak of yellow fever in the event's host city, Rio de Janerio in Brazil.

Storey issued a statement via Twitter on Thursday, saying that it had been a 'tough decision' to make but that she had to put the health and well-being of her family first.

Athletes travelling to Rio are being advised to be vaccinated against yellow fever, but Storey explained that he could not have the vaccine due to breast-feeding her young son, Charlie.

“I have made the decision to withdraw from the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships after the advice regarding the yellow fever vaccination changed last week," wrote Storey.

“I am obviously disappointed to not be able to compete at the event and miss out on the opportunity to win another rainbow jersey but the health and well-being of my family is far more important.

“Ordinarily this wouldn’t have been a problem but unfortunately there are risks around the yellow fever vaccination in certain groups including breastfeeding women and babies under the age of nine months.

“As Charlie is still only four and a half months and breastfed this means neither of us can be vaccinated and therefore I am not prepared to risk travelling as the infection results in a high percentage of fatalities.

“My focus will now turn to the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Italy in August and I’ll be working with my team Storey Racing to start my road programme earlier than expected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlYIzeT2f90

“The timing of this couldn’t have been predicted and I would like to thank all the staff on the Great Britain Cycling Team who have been fully supportive of my decision.”

Storey has nine gold medals from cycling events in the Paralympic Games, plus five from swimming events making her the most successful British female Paralympian of all time. She has also previously won 13 Para-cycling track world titles and 10 Para-cycling road world titles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a "large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in multiple states of Brazil. Since early 2018, a number of unvaccinated travelers to Brazil contracted yellow fever; many of these travelers were infected on the island of Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro State). Several have died."

Yellow fever is contracted via a bite from a mosquito carrying the virus. The disease can become serious in around 15 per cent of cases, causing liver damage and organ failure.

Multiple Olympic gold medallists Laura and Jason Kenny have been named in the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, alongside Paralympic cyclists Sarah Storey and Kadeena Cox.

The four riders make up a quarter of the 16-person shortlist that looks particularly strong after a successful year for Team GB at the Olympics and Paralympic Games.

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According to the bookies, Laura Kenny is the most likely of the four cyclists to pick up the prestigious award, commanding odds of 22/1 after picking up Olympic gold medals in the omnium and team pursuit to become the greatest female British Olympian.

Jason Kenny also enjoyed a successful Olympic games with three gold medals in the individual sprint, team sprint, and keirin, to draw level with 2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner Chris Hoy on six Olympic gold medals, making them the joint most successful British Olympians of all time.

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Sarah Storey and Kadeena Cox are two of four Paralympians on the shortlist.

Storey won three gold medals in the Rio Paralympics to take her tally to fourteen across two sports (cycling and swimming) and seven Paralympic games.

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Cox is another multi-discipline athlete, winning a gold medal in the C4-5 time trial on the bike at the Paralympics, as well as a gold, silver, and a bronze in athletics.

However, if the bookies are to be believed, then they will struggle to beat two-time winner Andy Murray to the award, after the tennis player enjoyed a stellar year, winning Wimbledon and the Olympics, reaching the finals of the Australian and French Open, and finishing the year as world number one.

Laura Kenny (née Trott) and Jason Kenny are the cycling front-runners for the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Laura Kenny became Britain's most decorated female Olympian in history at the Rio Games, taking her third and fourth gold medals in the omnium and team pursuit on the track.

Track sprinter Jason Kenny elevated himself among the all-time British sporting greats by claiming three gold medals in Rio in the sprint, keirin and team sprint to bring his Olympic gold tally to six.

The Olympic success of the pair and their subsequent marriage in September have established the status of Laura and Jason Kenny as household names in Great Britain.

Paralympic star Dame Sarah Storey is also rated by the bookies, having taken two gold medals on the road and one on the track in Rio to become Britain's most successful female Paralympian of all time.

Despite claiming his third Tour de France victory and bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Chris Froome does not figure highly in the bookies' predictions for the award.

All of the cycling stars will have to overcome overwhelming odds for tennis player Andy Murray to take a third SPOTY victory, having previously won in 2013 and again last year.

>>> 100 Best Road Riders of 2016

Other bookies' favourites include runner Mo Farah, triathlete Alistair Brownlee, footballer Gareth Bale, gymnast Max Whitlock and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton.

Cyclists have fared pretty well in recent years: Sir Bradley Wiggins (2012), Mark Cavendish (2011) and Sir Chris Hoy (2008) have all won in the past 10 editions.

The final shortlist of 10 sportspeople is traditionally announced by the BBC at the end of November. The winner is chosen by public vote held during the live broadcast of the award ceremony, which takes place in Birmingham on Sunday, December 18 and broadcast live on BBC One.

Four British cyclists have made the shortlist for the 2016 BT Sport Action Woman Award. Track cyclist Laura Kenny, Paralympic star Dame Sarah Storey, cross-discipline Paralympic athlete Kadeena Cox and downhill mountain biker Rachel Atherton are part of the 10 women named.

They join boxer Nicola Adams, Paralympian Hannah Cockroft, dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin, hockey goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, taekwondo's Jade Jones and tennis player Johanna Konta on the list of finalists.

>>> Dame Sarah Storey becomes Britain’s most successful female Paralympian (video)

Kenny (née Trott) took two track world titles and two gold medals at the Rio Olympic Games, in the omnium and team pursuit, establishing her as Britain's most successful female Olympic athlete in history.

Storey became Britain's most decorated British female Paralympian in history in Rio, winning the individual pursuit, road race and time trial.

Cox was a sensation at the Rio Paralympics after securing gold in track cycling, where she also set a new world record in the C4-5 500m time trial, and took gold in the T38 400-metre run.

Atherton proved that she is the undisputed world's best female downhill mountain biker with victory in all seven rounds of the 2016 UCI World Cup, and won the World Championships in a flawless season.

In addition to the individual nominees, there is also an award for the best team of the year. Great Britain's Rio gold-medal-winning team pursuiters are one of five teams shortlisted.

The winners will be decided by public vote, which is currently under way via the BT Sport website and via the BT Sport Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Voting closes just before midnight on December 5, with the winners announced on Monday December 12 during a live televised event.

Dame Sarah Storey is calling for more road races in the UK to take place on closed roads, saying she is "not prepared to risk my life" by mixing with traffic on open roads.

The majority of road races in the UK see cyclists riding on open roads, with closed circuit races usually taking place at specialist off-road venues, meaning that road race riders have to take vehicles into account when racing.

Storey, who won three gold medals at the 2016 Paralympic Games combining the road and the track, says that racing on open roads does not prepare riders for a professional cycling career.

"You have to keep your wits about you and be prepared to meet a car coming head on when you cross that white line. That's not ideal," she told BBC Sport. "You should be racing on closed roads all the time."

She added: "That's one of the big things I'd like to see change for women in the UK."

Dame Sarah Storey took the victory in the C5 time trial at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games to take her personal career medal haul to 24, including 13 golds.

The former swimmer, who competed in four Paralympic Games in the pool before switching to cycling in 2005, had already become Britain's most decorated Paralympian when she won the 3km pursuit on Monday September 12.

Storey completed the 20km course in a winning time of 27-22.42, which  gave her the win by 1-30 to Poland's Anna Harkowska. Samantha Bosco (USA) took the third step on the podium.

The win took Paralympics GB to 35 golds, which is already better than the medal haul at London 2012.

Meet our Paralympians

"I wasn't 100% sure I had won it," Dame Sarah told official broadcaster Channel 4. "Your time checks are brilliant but until the announcer says it you're not sure.

"You focus on one race at a time and for me it was about getting a second gold at these Games and I got reminded I had 11 before these Games."

At 38-years-old, the champion cyclists show no signs of slowing down so an eighth consecutive Games isn't out of the question.

Great Britain topped the medal table for the track cycling events at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The British squad claimed a total of eight gold medals as part of a 12-medal haul in Brazil.

Sunday saw the final events in the Rio velodrome, and it proved to be a golden day for GB as they surpassed the London 2012 tally of five track gold.

Track sprint trio Jody Cundy, Jon-Allan Butterworth and Louis Rolfe set a new world record with their gold medal winning ride. It added another gold medal to Cundy's win in the C4-5 1km time trial on Friday, putting to bed his bitter experience in the 2012 London Games when he was disqualified due to an issue with the start gate.

"After four years ago, that was probably the lowest I've ever been; this is probably the highest I've ever been," Cundy said to British Cycling after the event.

>>> Rio 2016 Paralympic Games cycling events: Latest news and info

"For the kilo, I was properly nervous and I didn't really enjoy it that much but for this one, with these guys and the way they've been riding for the last few months, it's just a pleasure to get up there.

"The fact that we broke the world record in the heats, we knew there were a few little things we could tweak and we just got it all right in that last ride."

Also on Sunday, Lora Turnham and tandem pilot Corrine Hall took the victory in the women's B individual pursuit, getting the better of New Zealand.

Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott gave GB another podium spot in the discipline, winning the ride-off for bronze. Thornhill and Scott had already claimed gold in the B women's individual time trial.

In the men's B 1km time trial, Neil Fachie and tandem pilot Pete Mitchell took silver, beaten by Dutch pair Tristan Bangma and pilot Teun Mulder.

Kadeena Cox also set a new world record in the C4-5 women's time trial over 500m, becoming the first British athlete since 1988 to claim medals in two different sports in the same Games after she took bronze in the T38 100m athletics on Friday. It was her cycling debut. Dame Sarah Storey finished in fourth, but had taken gold in the C5 women's individual pursuit last week to become Britain's most decorated Paralympian.

Megan Giglia (C1-3 women's individual pursuit) and Steve Bate with pilot Adam Duggleby (B men's individual pursuit) had secured gold medals on the opening day of the Games on Thursday.

Storey goes into the road disciplines as defending champion in the women's C5 time trial and C4-5 road race events. The road events take place over September 14-17.

Great Britain's Rio 2016 Paralympic Games track cycling medals

Gold

Jody Cundy, C4-5 men's 1km time trial

Steve Bate (pilot Adam Duggleby), B men's individual pursuit

Kadeena Cox, C4-5 women's 500m time trial

Sophie Thornhill (pilot Helen Scott), B women's 1km time trial

Lora Turnham (pilot Corrine Hall), B women's individual pursuit

Megan Giglia, C1-3 women's individual pursuit

Sarah Storey, C5 women's individual pursuit

Great Britain (Louis Rolfe, Jon-Allan Butterworth, Jody Cundy), C1-5 men's team sprint

Silver

Neil Fachie (pilot Pete Mitchell), B men's 1km time trial

Crystal Lane, C5 women's individual pursuit

Bronze

Louis Rolfe, C2 men's individual pursuit

Sophie Thornhill (pilot Helen Scott), B women's individual pursuit

https://www.facebook.com/Channel4/videos/10153668306072330/

Dame Sarah Storey became Great Britain's most successful female Paralympian on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, winning the C5 3km individual pursuit to claim her record-breaking 12th Paralympic Games gold medal.

Storey broke her own world record in qualifying for the event, setting a time of 3-31.394. Her GB team-mate Crystal Lane – who had got a very late call-up to the Games – qualified second fastest to set up an all-GB ride-off for the gold and silver medals.

Storey caught Lane at the half-way mark in the final to take gold, with Lane settling for silver. The victory meant that Storey moved ahead of previous GB Paralympic medal record holder Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

>>> Rio 2016 Paralympic Games cycling: Latest news and info

"It's a bit surreal," said Storey to Channel 4 TV after the victory and setting a new record. "The first person I was speaking to after the race was Tanni and it’s so nice to see her here. She’ll always be on a pedestal for me, a lady who has really supported me for all my career.

"I didn’t expect to break the world record this morning, this coming week is really really hard. I just keep improving and I can’t really believe it."

Earlier in the day, Megan Giglia had won GB's first gold medal of the Games, winning the C1-3 3km individual pursuit. Giglia caught Jamie Whitmore of the USA in the final to take the victory.

It's Giglia's frist appearance at a Paralympic Games after she suffered a stroke three years ago.

Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby also made their first Paralympic Games appearance and took gold in the men's B 4km individual pursuit, overhauling the Dutch duo of Vincent ter Schure and Timo Fransen.

Despite the Netherlands team starting quicker, Bate and Duggleby paced themselves perfectly to better their rivals.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games cycling events continue on Friday with the men's individual pursuit disciplines, and the women's and men's 1km time trials.

Eight gold medals in Montichiari, Italy, saw Great Britain top the medal table at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships at the weekend.

Two golds on the final day secured to position, with Jody Cundy, Jon-Allan Butterworth and 18-year-old Louis Rolfe setting the team sprint world record, winning the event in 49.230 seconds.

Neil Fachie and Pete Mitchell took their second gold of the meeting in the tandem on Sunday, while Megan Giglia won golds in the C3 individual pursuit and 500m time trial in the first two days.

Dame Sarah Storey won her 23rd world title, while Kadeena Cox added a cycling world title to the one she won in athletics in Doha last year.

Head coach Jon Norfolk told BBC Sport: "I think we are confident with our performers this week. It's a good spot check of where we are now and how people can deliver.

"There'll still be plenty more we can add into the mix to make sure we can get the right result at the Paralympics in Rio."

In total, Great Britain won eight golds, five silvers and four bronze medals.

Paralympic gold medallists Dame Sarah Storey and Jody Cundy are among the 21 riders named in the Great Britain squad for March's UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships.

Qualification points for the Paralympic Games are on offer in Italy, in what is the last major track event before Rio.

Britain's Para-cycling head coach Jon Norfolk said: "It's a large squad that travels with a number of riders competing in a range of events as we look to secure the maximum amount of places we can for the Paralympic Games.

"There are also some new faces in the squad, like Kadeena Cox and James Ball, who will be competing at this level for the first time in their careers. It will be great to see how they fare against the world's best riders."

The World Championships run between March 17-20 in Monticiari.

Great Britain squad for the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships

Men: James Ball (MB) (piloted by Craig Maclean), Neil Fachie (MB) (piloted by Pete Mitchell), Steve Bate (MB) (piloted by Adam Duggleby), Louis Rolfe (MC2), David Smith (MC3), Jaco van Gass (MC4), Jody Cundy (MC4), Jon-Allan Butterworth (MC5)

Women: Lora Turnham (WB) (piloted by Corrine Hall), Sophie Thornhill (WB) (piloted by Helen Scott), Kadeena Cox (WC2), Sally Hurst (WC2), Megan Giglia (WC3), Liz Saul (WC4), Crystal Lane (WC5), Dame Sarah Storey (WC5)

Matt Clinton and Sarah Storey were crowned National Circuit Champions after winning their respective events in the 20-mile contest held at Cranfield in Bedfordshire on Sunday.

30-year-old Clinton, who rides for Mike Vaughan Cycles, had finished second in both the 10 and 50-mile National Championships earlier in the season and went one better here with his time of 41.30 enough to bag him the title.

“The course was a little bit draggy but nothing I couldn’t handle using the big ring,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the National Hill Climb Championships, that’s my next event.

“It’s nice to win a second championship. It’s some years since I won the hill climb title. It was a hard, rolling course which suited me.”

>>> How a bike costing £1,000 won the National 10-Mile Time Trial Championship

In second place was Joshua Williams of Revolution Racing with a time of 42.14. The podium was completed by Terry Wright Cycles’ Brett Harwood in 42.17.

The event also counted as the sixth and final round of the Classic Series. The series had already been wrapped up by Matt Bottrill and the Drag2zero rider’s hopes of ending his cycling career on a high before moving on to competing in triathlon were dealt a fatal blow when he punctured early on his run.

How to beat a long time trial

Sarah Storey beat her Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International team-mate Claire Rose to the women’s title, storming round the course in a time of 46.47. Rose managed 48.17 to finish second.

Storey said: “I did a solid ride today, there were quite a few ups and downs on the course but nothing that I couldn’t cope with using the big ring and tri bars. I’ve got a closed circuit championship to come and I’m also riding in the event at the London Six-Day.”

>>> Sarah Storey: No plans to tackle Hour Record again

In the junior championship, Matt Langworthy finally landed a title after finishing second in both the 10 and 25-mile National Championships earlier in the season.

The Mid Devon CC rider’s time of 44.14 was enough to see off the challenge of James Garratt (Welland Valley CC). Although Garratt missed out on top spot, his 44.57 was just enough to beat High Wycombe CC’s George Clarke by four seconds.

Olympic team pursuit champion Ed Clancy won Tuesday evening's round of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series in Peterborough. The JLT-Condor rider won the sprint from a seven-man group which had escaped the clutches of the peloton with about 15 minutes left to race.

The team prize was taken by One Pro Cycling who edged Madison-Genesis into second place. The win puts the two teams level on points, though it is the former who will wear the leaders’ jerseys at Thursday’s final round as they have more outright race wins.

The race was tightly controlled by the two leading teams, who had representatives at the front of the group throughout, before posting one rider each in the decisive break. One Pro Cycling’s director, Matt Winston was clearly happy with the result and the momentum the team now has.

>>> London Nocturne: what’s it like to race in the dark?

“It was another solid performance,” Winston told Cycling Weekly “We’ve strung a few results together now, back to back, so we are building momentum and brought it into this evening. The victories have helped us get into the jersey going into the last round, but it doesn’t mater how many you’ve won, we’re level on points, so the first team across the line on Thursday is going to win the Tour Series. That should make for quite an exciting race.”

It was Clancy’s second victory in Peterborough and also his second of the year, making him the only rider so far with two victories. The result continues a rich vein of form which includes last Saturday’s London Nocturne and a second place behind NFTO’s Steele von Hoff in last week’s Canary Wharf Tour Series race. This time it was roles reversed with the Australian beaten into second place.

“I’m dead happy,” Clancy told us. “It’s always the plan to win, but it’s easier said than done. There’s been a lot of hard circuits this year, so there hasn’t been that many where I’ve had a real chance.

“I felt good from the off and it’s unusual for me to get in a breakaway and when I do it’s unusual for me to work in a breakaway. Today I felt good and I wanted to drive it, I wasn't confident I could beat Steele but I thought ‘ah, let’s have a go and even if he beats me again it’ll be a good laugh.’”

Video: Secrets of the toolbox - JLT Condor

French rider Morgan Kniesky (Raleigh-GAC) won the Chain Reaction Cycles points competition for the evening, meaning he is virtually certain of the winning the jersey overall. The team’s tactics worked perfectly, they dominated the sprints, taking 24 of the 60 points available, Kniesky winning 11 of those. His 11-point lead over second-placed Tom Stewart (Madison-Genesis) should prove unassailable with a maximum of only 20 available on the day.

Dame Sarah Storey won the women’s Matrix Fitness GP event, capping off a long lone breakaway, finishing 19 seconds ahead of second-placed Eileen Roe (Wiggle-Honda).

With two team mates joining Storey in the top ten, they have also nearly sealed the team prize, though with double points available, that could still change in the final round. “We have a very strong team. Joanna [Rowsell] was just firing off the front with Katie [Curtis] covering things, so it was only a matter of time until something stuck.

“The plan almost went a bit dodgy when they nearly came back to us. I spotted that and moved up to the front and launched one just as they were looking as if they would close that down.”

The final round of both the men’s and women’s series takes place this Thursday in Bath.

British rider Hannah Barnes (UnitedHealthcare) came away from the inaugural Women's Tour of California as best young rider.

The 22 year old, originally from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, completed the first edition of the three-stage American race in 15th place behind overall winner Trixi Worrack (Velocio-SRAM) of Germany.

Barnes' overall position was helped by her second-place finish on Sunday's final stage behind Canadian Leah Kirchmann (Optum), who had also won the previous day's stage.

“It was good to start the stage race with Katie’s win in Tahoe [stage one winner and UnitedHealthcare team-mate Katie Hall], and then it was really good, aggressive racing the rest of the event so I’m proud to take the white jersey for the team,” said Barnes.

>>> Hannah Barnes wins stage two at Tour Femenino de San Luis

Earlier in the race, British multi-Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey (Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours) had worn the Queen of the Mountains jersey after being in the escape throughout the opening stage but lost it to Kirsti Lay (Canadian national team) the following day.

Storey now travels to the Tour of California invitational time trial at Big Bear Lake on Friday, May 15. This stand-alone event takes place ahead of the time trial stage of the men's Tour of California later the same day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzOqcBeWV2s

Highlights of stage one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoAnO3fh7j8

Highlights of stage two

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kku3We8jyyo

Highlights of stage three

Dame Sarah Storey offered some words of advice to Alex Dowsett ahead of his Hour Record attempt at the Manchester Velodrome on Saturday, May 2.

Storey tried to break the women’s record back in February, falling just short of Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel’s mark of 46.065km, so is well qualified to tell the Essex rider exactly what to expect.

>>> Alex Dowsett in the wind tunnel as Hour Record attempt nears

And while Dowsett will not face one of the issues Storey had to deal with in the build-up to her attempt, the Movistar rider will need to factor in a whole host of other things.

“You need the Velodrome to be warm for the air pressure to be thin but you need to balance that off with getting the right hydration,” Storey told the Manchester Evening News. “One of the biggest challenges for me was getting too hot and losing too much fluid.

“But it may not have been the best thing to attempt while still breastfeeding. And that’s not something Alex needs to worry about!

“I generally cope well with the heat but you get very hot very quickly. It’s also about judging your pace, knowing you are going through some bad patches but you will rally.

“It is a bit like the marathon and the 18 miles marker when everyone hits the wall, feel like death and wants to stop.

“It is knowing and trusting your body it will come through any rough patch and still be on schedule.”

Dowsett’s Hour Record attempt will be shown live on Eurosport 2, with the effort kicking off at 1pm. Tickets are still available and can be bought through See Tickets.

Dame Sarah Storey and Joanna Rowsell are just two of over 100 of the UK's best female riders to be taking part in the Tour de Yorkshire's women's race on May 2 in York.

The pair, who both race for Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International, are joined by fellow Great Britain track rider Katie Archibald.

With the race open to Elite down to Cat. 3 riders, the mix of participants will give some younger riders the chance to race alongside Olympians and Paralympians like Storey and Rowsell.

Riders will complete four laps of a 20km circuit around the city of York starting at 11am, just hours before the men’s race finishes in the same location. The race will start at 10.30 am, instead of the original 11am start.

Matrix Fitness feature two riders from Yorkshire in their lineup, with Jessie Walker and Penny Rowson set to race, while Grace Garner and Nicola Juniper will ride for the Giordana Triton Team.

Cycling Weekly will also be represented at the race, with Louise Mahe riding for Ikon-Mazda.

Dame Sarah Storey insists she has no desire to tackle the Hour Record again any time soon.

The 37-year-old missed out on breaking Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel's record of 46.065km by just 563m at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London on Saturday.

But, while Graeme Obree jumped back on the bike less than 24 hours after his failure to break Francesco Moser’s record in 1993, Storey has ruled out any second attempt.

“No. It's a once in a lifetime,” she told Press Association Sport.

“I won't be considering doing it any time soon. If I ever did it again it would be well after Rio.

“I have absolutely no idea how Graeme Obree did it again the following day, when he was unsuccessful in his attempt and then successful the day after.

>>> Dame Sarah Storey: “I gave it the best I could”

“It's an incredibly drawn out, painful process. I hoped I had enough in me to go over 46km, but whatever I was going to do was going to be the absolute best I had.

“I feel I couldn't have given any more and so I can't be too hard on myself. I was hard enough on myself just to finish on Saturday.”

While Storey fell short of the UCI Hour Record she did set a new British, Masters and C5 record.

Dame Sarah Storey said she gave it the best she could in her Hour record attempt at London’s Lee Valley Velodrome, even though she fell short of the target by 563m.

Storey, the 11-time Paralympic gold medallist, was aiming to best Leontien van Moorsel's 46.065km set in 2003 in Mexico City, which equated to just over 184 laps of the velodrome track.

“I’m just relieved to have finished and done it. I always said I was going to come and do the best I could and that’s exactly what’s happened,” she told Cycling Weekly after the attempt.

Storey slowed as the hour ticked over to finish with 45.502km, and while she fell short of the UCI Hour record she did set a new British, Masters and C5 record.

“It was Chris Boardman that said it’s an event that should be respected and feared and there’s absolutely no doubt that I respected and feared it; it’s so hard,” she said. “Being in that position for one hour that’s an achievement in itself, without having to pedal or anything,” she said.

Speaking after the attempt, Storey admitted that she was at times unsure of how she was doing, and had to set herself small targets to keep herself motivated as the laps ticked over.

“I had no idea because I expected I would have a lap board and I didn’t. And then I realised I forgot to count [laps] there was no way I was counting for the full hour so I just had to think as it started to get grippy, I could count three laps and then I could see another minute go past, then I could count three laps.

“I just kept thinking in the final 20 minutes ‘right that’s 60 laps, I can do 60 laps’, that’s what the girls did in the points race [earlier in the Revolution Series]. Just little things, small targets, and little goals."

She continued: “In some ways only being able to see 60 on the board was probably better than trying to count up to 184 and a bit. Whilst not seeing the lap boards was frustrating in some ways in other ways it was probably a godsend because I do remember counting every single blummin lap when I did the simulation a few weeks ago.”

Dame Sarah Storey has fallen just short in her attempt to set a new women's Hour Record, completing 45.502km and falling short of the existing mark by 563m.

Although missing out on the overall record, Storey did set new British, Paralympic and masters standards.

Riding at Lee Valley Velopark in London, Storey set off a solid pace, but by 20km she was down by 0.779s against the world record. She looked technically strong throughout but split times slipped as the hour progressed and she was left with too much to do despite a brave burst of speed in the final minutes.

The previous record was 46.065km, set by Leontien van Moorsel in Mexico City in 2003.

Speaking after the attempt, Storey said: "It was definitely the hardest hour of my life. It was the furthest I could possibly have gone. I said I'd do my best, and it's not as far as Leontien, but to miss out to her is no bad thing."

Sarah Storey reveals her Hour Record bike

Dame Sarah Storey will ride a black Ridley Arena machine on February 28, with a few adjustments made to her

Storey began her sporting career as swimmer, picking up her first Paralympic medal in 1992 as a 14 year old, but since turning her attention to cycling in 2005, she has equalled the records of Tanni Grey-Thompson and Dave Roberts as Britain's most successful Paralympians.

Interest in the Hour Record has skyrocketed since the UCI announced a change in the rules last year, allowing riders to use aerodynamic bikes and equipment. Jens Voigt set a new mark for men in September, with Matthias Brändle and current record-holder Rohan Dennis subsequently going even further.

Dame Sarah Storey will make her attempt to set a new unified Hour Record on Saturday afternoon at Lee Valley Velo Park in London.

It's the first attempt at the women's record since the UCI made its rule change in May 2014, and Storey will aiming to surpass the current record of 46.065km, set by Leontien van Moorsel in Mexico City in 2003.

Sarah Storey misses Hour Record by 563m

45.502km ride at Lee Valley Velo Park in London breaks Paralympic, British and Masters records

The new rules means the five-time Paralympic gold medalist will be able to use an aerodynamic bike and equipment, and Storey revealed the Ridley bike she will ride in her attempt earlier in February.

Storey began her sporting career as swimmer, picking up her first Paralympic medal in 1992 as 14 year old, but since turning her attention to cycling in 2005, she has equalled the records of Tanni-Grey-Thompson and Dave Roberts as Britain's most successful Paralympians.

You can watch Storey's Hour Record attempt, which takes place as part of the Revolution Series in London, via the live stream below.

Coverage  from 14.50GMT, Saturday Feb 28.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tgGIb24Hk

Dame Sarah Storey has revealed the bike which will hopefully carry her to a new women’s Hour Record on at the Revolution Series at London's Lee Valley VeloPark on Saturday, February 28.

Her black Ridley Arena is similar to her normal road time trial machine, partly designed by her husband Barney.

In an interview with Cycling Weekly, Storey said the bike had to be adapted to suit a riding position which could be sustained for an hour.

“We needed to make sure it was sustainable,” she said. “I’ve got a slightly cocked back and too much weight on my elbows won’t work. So I’ve come up a bit, but gone narrower [from front on]. It’s closer to my road time trial position than my normal track position.

Storey’s Pearl Izumi skinsuit is the same design as that used by Rohan Dennis in his successful Hour Record attempt in Switzerland.

“It was nice of him to test it for me,” Storey joked.

Read an exclusive interview with Storey in this week’s Cycling Weekly, on sale Thursday, February 19.

Olympic track cycling champions Laura Trott, Ed Clancy and Peter Kennaugh are among the riders taking part in the London round of the Revolution Track Series over February 27-28.

The gold-winning trio will return to the scene of their London 2012 triumph: the Olympic track that is now part of the renamed Lee Valley VeloPark.

Australian Jack Bobridge will join in the action, hopefully now recovered from his Hour Record attempt disappointment in late January. Bobridge is joined by fellow Aussie Glen O'Shea, in addition to European Six Day champions Jasper de Buyst, Leif Lampater and Alex Rasmussen.

One of the major highlights of the weekend is Sarah Storey's attempt on the women's Hour Record on Saturday night (February 28). The multiple Paralympic champion will set out to break Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel's existing mark of 46.065 kilometres set in 2003.

Bobridge said of Storey's Hour attempt: “It's one of the hardest challenges that a cyclist can take on, and the most surreal strain you'll ever put your body through in the saddle. The challenge doesn't really sink in until after the first 20 minutes, which is when it really hits you, but I'm sure Sarah will have trained for this. Sarah's one of the world's top riders and I wish her the best of luck for a great ride."

With the UCI Track Cycling World Championships the previous weekend in Paris, there's a distinct possibility that round five of the Revolution Series could play host to one or more freshly-minted world champions resplendent in their rainbow jerseys.

For more information and online ticket purchasing, visit www.cyclingrevolution.com.

Dame Sarah Storey has been nominated for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award after a standout 2014 season.

Storey’s dominant career was put on hold in 2013 as she gave birth to her daughter Louisa in June that year, but she returned to win four world titles across road and track last year.

With the para-cycling world championships coming up at the end of March in Apeldoorn, Storey will prepare for her title defences with a crack at the women’s Hour Record in London on February 28.

Speaking of her nomination, Storey said: “It's a huge and unexpected honour to be nominated for this award. Making a comeback after a year out to have Louisa was always the plan but I never expected how much stronger I would become.

“It's been a huge honour to be able to continue to win gold medals for Great Britain and as a result get nominated for this prestigious award. Many thanks to everyone who supports me, my success is a team effort.”

Read Storey's guest column in the new look Cycling Weekly, available to view free online now.

British road race and Commonwealth Games champion Lizzie Armitstead, Paralympic multi-champion and Hour Record hopeful Dame Sarah Storey and Olympic sprint double champion Jason Kenny are among the riders headlining this Saturday's round of the Revolution track series in Glasgow.

Sir Chris Hoy will also make an appearance at the velodrome in Glasgow that bears his name, meeting fans and signing autographs. Hoy's bike brand is the sponsor of the Revolution Future Stars series.

It will be Storey's final competitive outing before she takes on the Hour Record at the Revolution meeting in London on February 28.

Sarah Storey: I expect to feel Eddy Merckx-like pain during Hour Record

Dame Sarah Storey will attempt the Hour Record on February 28 and fully expects to feel the same 'incredible pain'

“I love coming to Scotland, the fans are always fantastic and the racing is always very competitive," said Storey. "I’m looking forward to getting on the track and putting on a good show for the fans. It will also be my last race before attempting the Hour record, so I’m looking to put in a good shift on the track.”

Kenny will race against Scottish sprinter Callum Skinner in the men's sprint and keirin races, and both riders will also face a selection of international riders.

Skinner commented: “To be coming back to Scotland to race in front of my friends and family is a dream. Last year was a pretty strong year for me, picking up gold in the team sprint and now 2015 is here, I am so keen to get out on track and get some wins under my belt.”

If you can't make the event in person, highlights of the day's action will be shown on Channel 4 at 7am on Saturday, February 7, and later on 4 On Demand.

Some tickets are still available for the evening session. For more information and tickets, visit the Revolution website. Remaining rounds take place in London (February 27/28) and Manchester (March 14).

Dame Sarah Storey has officially confirmed her intention to attempt to set a new women's Hour Record in February 2015.

Multi-Paralympic champion Storey will make her attempt during the afternoon at the Revolution Series meeting on February 28 at Lee Valley Velopark, London. It's the venue where Storey won Britain's first gold medal of the 2012 Paralympic Games, and the first of her four golds at the Games in total.

Storey will attempt to better the existing mark of 46.065 kilometres set in 2003 by Dutch rider Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel.

“I’m excited and nervous at the prospect of being the first women to take on the record in over a decade,” said Storey.

“I did a couple of days testing up at the Manchester Velodrome to try and work out the output that would be involved over an hour to have a realistic chance of challenging the record and we decided that if I can arrive in good shape I stood a fighting chance.”

"Logistically it fits in just about perfectly with the plans I already had put in place for next year which centre around the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships at the end of March - when I will be entering the Individual Pursuit, 500m Time Trial and Scratch Race.”

Storey during the 2012 Paralympic Games in London

The Hour Record has enjoyed something on a renaissance since the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) changed the rules. The men's record was broken by Jens Voigt in September and then broken again by Matthias Brändle in October. Alex Dowsett (Movistar) is expected to also attempt to take on the men's Hour Record in early 2015, possibly at the same event as Storey.

UCI president Brian Cookson said: “After two UCI Hour Records in quick succession for the men, I am very pleased that the existing women’s record will now be challenged. In amending the regulations, the UCI hoped for exactly this kind of motivation from the world’s best athletes. Dame Sarah Storey’s attempt will be eagerly awaited and I am sure it will prompt other top women riders to try to claim this prestigious record.”

Further information and tickets for the Revolution Series event in London, including the Hour Record attempt, are available from the Revolution website.

Paralympic gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey will officially open the new Pearl Izumi Factory Outlet Store in Portsmouth on Saturday (November 15). 

The Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International rider, who has 6 Paralympic cycling gold medals to her name will be at the store's grand opening in Gunwharf Quays to meet and greet customers from midday.

Storey, whose most recent victory came in the national 25 mile Time Trial Championship in August, taking the win by 45 seconds, set up the new Pearl Izumi team for the 2014 season in aid of Boot Out Breast Cancer.

“We are really happy to have an athlete of Dame Sarah Storey’s calibre officially open the store," Brand Director for Pearl Izumi at Madison Will Fripp said.

"We are sure shoppers will be excited to meet a multiple gold medal Paralympian and make the most of the giveaways and promotions we will have on offer to celebrate its opening."

Pearl Izumi’s trained in-store ambassadors will also be available for advice on the best kit for cycling, running and triathlon.

Dame Sarah Storey takes national 25m TT title

Storey becomes most decorated British Paralympian

London 2012 Paralympic Games: 34-year-old emphatically wins Women's C4-5 race to take 11th gold medal

Sarah Storey: Rider Profile

Sarah Storey - rider profile, biog, cycling results, photos

Dame Sarah Storey (Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours International) secured victory in the national 25-Mile Championship in Cheshire on Saturday, clocking 56-08 for the J2/9 course near Goostrey to take the win by 45 seconds.

The 36-year-old, who also lives in Cheshire around 20 miles from the course, added the National title to the National Time Trial Series, having won three of the four rounds she has ridden and being uncatchable with the final round still to come.

Storey’s effort was measured, having 21 seconds’ lead on runner-up Hayley Simmonds (Velosport-Pasta Montegrappa), and maintaining her effort almost exactly to win by 45 seconds. Third spot went to Emily Robertson (CC Luton), another 50 seconds off the pace.

“It was great to win, although it wasn’t perhaps by the margin everybody expected me to have,” said Storey afterwards. “I’ve had a rest spell in preparation for the Para Cycling Worlds at the end of the month which is a big target for me.

“It’s good to get the gold cap, but also it was an opportunity to race tired and see what my legs were capable of. I wanted to use this as a benchmark to see how I did at 25 miles, because the Worlds is shorter.

A heavy downpour mid-race saw cars pulling over because of the spray, and Storey added: “There were a few of us in the last ten minutes of starters who contemplated stopping because it was such a storm, but I pressed on and finished.

“I’ve never won the National 10, 25 or 50, so I’m chuffed to get a CTT gold cap for the first time.

“This is my local 25 course, so I know it really well. I rode the National 50 on those roads a few years back, and I race down there all the time so I tried to remember where the pot holes were and drift round them!”

Elsewhere in the field, there was a strong ride by Bronwen Ewing, the 48-year-old Trainsharp Racing Team rider who clocked 58-14 to finish fourth and top veteran.

Meanwhile, the junior title went to London Dynamo’s 17-year-old prospect Gabriel Evans. He clocked 53-55 to take the win by 24 seconds from Ben McIntosh (Crewe Clarion Wheelers), with Joe Evans (Haribo Beacon) third, another 16 seconds off the pace.

Evans and McIntosh were dead level at half distance on 26-43, but the London Dynamo rider turned the screw to complete the second half of the course in 27-12.

First reports from the circuit had a different rider down as junior winner, but a check with the marshals noted that he had missed out some of the course.

Sarah Storey (Pearl Izumi/Sports Tours International) won the stage two time trial in the Tour de Bretagne Féminin in France on Friday.

Storey clocked 15-21 over the 11.2-kilometres route around Radenac to secure the stage and move up to third place overall behind Audrey Cordon (Hitec).

Storey is one of 16 Brits competing in the UCI 2.2-ranked race. Jessie Walker of Matrix Racing Academy was eighth on stage two.

Two stages remain in the race, which concludes on Sunday.

Over in Germany, Lizzie Armitstead secured her third stage win of the year on Tuesday at the Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen and still has a chance of overall victory.

The Boels-Dolmans rider pipped the race leader Lisa Brennauer (Specialized-lululemon) on the line during the 105.4km stage one.

Armitstead then placed second behind American Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-Lululemon) on stage four. Stevens takes the overall race lead with Armitstead in second overall, 56 seconds off the GC

There are two stages remaining in the UCI 2.1 event.

British professional road wins 2014

We keep track of British riders' victories in international professional races during the 2014 season