Mark Colbourne remembers his Paralympic gold one year on
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Almost one year to the day since winning Great Britain's second cycling gold medal of the 2012 Paralympics, Mark Colbourne returned to the London Velodrome yesterday as he was unveiled as one of the Lee Valley VeloPark ambassadors.
The 43-year-old Welshman, who last week announced his retirement from competitive racing, will help coach riders at the multi-discipline Olympic and Paralympic legacy venue in East London once it opens to the public next March.
It was Colbourne's first visit to the Velodrome since last summer's Games, and fell two days before the anniversary of his greatest triumph: winning the C1 3km Pursuit.
"It was unreal - two-and-a-half years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears had all come down to that one moment," recalled Colbourne.
"Being part of ParalympicsGB in a home Olympiad, it doesn't get any better."
Colbourne was the favourite to take the victory, particularly after breaking a world record and finishing seven seconds ahead of his nearest rival in the morning qualifying session.
"Sitting on that start line, knowing what I had done in qualifying, I knew I just had to repeat that process. I remember thinking that it was my time to shine, and that I had put the money where my mouth was.
"Physically, I almost felt as if I hadn't have ridden that morning. I felt so fresh, so full of energy, which was probably helped by the adrenalin. I had really prepared myself for that for 12 months.
"But, having lost my dad through stomach cancer in February, mentally I had some mixed emotions."
He came within 30 metres of catching runner-up Li Zhang Yu, and went even faster than his short-lived world record from qualifying.
"'How the hell did I do that?' was initial my reaction," he admitted.
Laura Trott and Mark Colbourne unveiled as Lee Valley VeloPark ambassadors
In addition to setting up his own cycling coaching company that will offer European training camps, Colbourne said he plans to be "hands on" in his role of Lee Valley VeloPark ambassador.
"I may have to get my own train pass as I've agreed that I will be here at least once a week to help and hopefully inspire as many people as I can.
"This area has transformed itself over the past few years, so to live in the testimony of all the work that has been done, and to be involved with a venue that has probably the best Velodrome in the world and will have four different disciplines in one area offering everything from grass roots up to top-level sport is a very proud moment for me."
Related links
Laura Trott and Mark Colbourne unveiled as ambassadors for Lee Valley VeloPark
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Maindy Flyers CC say moving Cardiff velodrome risks them missing the next Geraint Thomas
Earlier this week, historic Welsh club where Geraint Thomas, Owain Doull and Elinor Barker started out released open letter detailing their opposition to relocation
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Team bosses underwhelmed by 'symbolic' UCI rider development fee plan
The new rule will see development teams earn €2,000 a season once a rider signs to the WorldTour
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Iranian cyclist dies following crash in Rio Paralympic road race
Bahman Golbarnezhad was involved in a fatal crash at the C4-5 road race on Saturday
By Simon Collis • Published
-
Paralympic cyclist seeks funding for new leg for Rio 2016
Colin Lynch, who rides for Ireland, just missed out on a medal at London 2012, and is looking to raise £8,000 for a new limb
By Nigel Wynn • Published
-
Still more for UCI to do in support of ParaCycling, says Cundy
A delay in the UCI sending paperwork nearly cost ParaCycling a place in the 2020 Olympic Games, and there's plenty of work for the governing body still to do, according to Jody Cundy
By Stuart Clarke • Published
-
Cookson: UCI committed in support of para-cycling
International Paralympic Committee president Sir Philip Craven told the UCI there were 'serious reservations' about the future of the sport
By Stuart Clarke • Published
-
UCI mistake means 2020 Tokyo Paralympics may not include para-cycling events
Updated: The UCI says it is "fully committed" in its support of para-cycling.
By Nick Bull • Published
-
Steve Arnold hoping to boost Paralympic chances in RideLondon Grand Prix
Hand cyclist Steve Arnold will compete in Saturday's RideLondon Grand Prix
By Nigel Wynn • Published
-
Storey takes gold on day one of London Paralympics
London 2012 Paralympics day one: Mark Colbourne takes GB's first cycling medal with a silver in men's C1-2-3 Kilo
By Nick Bull • Published
-
PARALYMPICS: ALL GOLD FOR TEAM GB
Brits clean up in Beijing
By Nigel Wynn • Published