Steve Arnold hoping to boost Paralympic chances in RideLondon Grand Prix
A King's Lynn soldier who lost both his legs above the knee when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan is hoping to boost his Paralympic chances by winning the inaugural Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix.
Staff Sgt Steve Arnold is one of 15 hand cyclists from across the globe contesting the event on August 3, just one of a host of cycling festivities across the capital in the largest fiesta of biking to hit the UK for more than a generation.
The 34-year-old is already on British Cycling's radar, and a top three finish could help establish him as a Paralympic star of the future at Rio 2016 and beyond.
And Steve, who took up hand cycling at the Headley Court rehabilitation centre in May 2011, can't wait to take to the streets in front of a live and televised crowd of millions.
"I've been training at the Help for Heroes centre at Tedworth House in Wiltshire with the British Cycling squad and some of the handcyclists like Brian Aldiss," said Steve, a member of 23 Engineer Regiment.
"Hopefully we'll soon find out if I make the team or get onto one of the programmes and even if I don't make Rio there's still 2020 to aim for.
"Competing at the Paralympics would be an amazing feeling - you just want to be the best that you can be.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I loved representing my country as a member of the armed forces and I'd love to represent my country in cycling.
"The Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix is going to be a tough field, the hardest I've ever raced against with guys coming from all over the world.
"But it will be good to see how far away I am from winning the toughest races, as I hope to be competing in Europe next year."
It was in April 2011 that Steve suffered his injury, leading a search team in Afghanistan. Still a regular at Headley Court, he hopes to be discharged in January 2014 by which time he should have been fitted with new prosthetic legs and sockets.
But the double above-the-knee amputee hasn't let his injuries slow him down, training six times a week with a mix of long rides, interval training, and strength and conditioning sessions keeping him in world-class form.
A flat, 1.3-mile loop around St James Park, the Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix route will see riders start on The Mall before racing towards Buckingham Palace and into Horse Guards before a spectacular finish.
"Brian Aldiss is the only one beating me in my category at the moment in the UK, but it's good for him as well to have me around to push him and I enjoy trying to catch him," said Steve.
"Racing in front of a couple of hundred people is amazing so I can't imagine what it will be like to race on the streets of London with all those thousands of people cheering you on.
"The atmosphere is going to be incredible - how often do you get to race on the streets of London? It will be the best feeling ever."
Prudential RideLondon takes place on August 3-4. If you're inspired to ride, visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk
Thank you for reading 20 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, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
From Peru to Ukraine: 'My motorcycle friends are p*ssed because I spend so much time cycling'
Adventurer, philanthropist, motorcyclist and cyclist Neale Bayly has ridden in some far-out places: 'This is deep cycling', he says
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'I would love to try it' - Tadej Pogačar hints at attempting to win all three Grand Tours in one year
After winning the Triple Crown of the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and the World Championships, Pogačar wants more
By Chris Marshall-Bell Last updated
-
19 things you didn't know about Paralympic cycling champion Oksana Masters
The American Paralympian has competed in 7 Paralympic Games in 3 very different sports and has won 19 medals.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
USA's Oksana Masters wins 9th Paralympic gold, her 19th medal overall
The former orphan defended her titles in the H4-5 time trial and H5 road race, further cementing her Paralympic legacy
By Anne-Marije Rook Last updated
-
Meet Elouan Gardon: Team USA Paracycling’s youngest member and newly minted Paralympic medalist
Eighteen-year-old Elouan Gardon powered to winning bronze - and Team USA Paracycling's first medal this Paralympics - in the men’s 4,000-meter individual pursuit C5 category over the weekend.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
The Paris Paralympics start this week: Here’s how and when to watch all the paracycling action
The Paris Paralympics start this weekend and paracycling begins straightaway with its first event on August 29.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Sarah Storey officially selected for ninth Paralympic Games
Dame Storey is one of 23 riders announced in Team GB's squad for Paris next month
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Gaza adaptive athletes find hope on two wheels with Paris Paralympics on the horizon
A Palestinian paracycling team based in war-torn Gaza now uses its bikes to transport food and supplies to local neighborhoods while keeping the Paralympic dream alive
By Kristin Jenny 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