Sarah Storey wins remarkable 38th para-cycling world title
46-year-old claims GB's first gold medal of the 2024 UCI Road World Championships
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.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"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.
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
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
-
I haven't seen a cantilever brake in the wild for years – are they really dead?
We looked into the apparently dwindling existence of this venerable braking system
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Bob and Brad C2 Heat+Ice Massage Gun in my clinic - tested in clinic by a physiotherapist
We asked a physiotherapist to put this massage gun - with unique hot and cold features - to the test
By Dr Graham Theobald Published
-
Latvia protest against Mathieu van der Poel's World Championships result, saying he 'endangered spectators'
Latvian Cycling Federation calls on UCI to explain decision not to disqualify Dutchman who mounted pavement
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I was pushing but I couldn't feel my legs' - GB's Oscar Onley on his breakout World Championships ride
The 21-year-old was the youngest man in the top-20 in Zürich and matched some of the big guns on his way to 16th
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was a stupid move, but it worked' - Tadej Pogačar on his history-making World Championships ride
Welcome to the Pogačar era, where the Slovenian can attack from 100km to the line and still win. It's just starting.
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Crazy', 'not normal', 'another level' - Peloton reacts to another Tadej Pogačar solo masterclass at World Championships
The win was not unexpected, but the way it happened might have been, as the Slovenian soloed to historic victory
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar completes stunning Triple Crown with 51km solo to maiden rainbow jersey
Slovenian caps off imperious year with victory at the World Championships road race in Zurich
By Flo Clifford Published
-
'Everyone wants to win, sometimes that means everyone wants to lose' - Dutch attack, attack, and attack, but end up with fifth after confusing World Championships road race
Demi Vollering staked everything on trying to win the rainbow bands, but it wasn't to be. Was there a better way?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lotte Kopecky has 'perfect day' as she sprints to Worlds glory again
Belgian becomes seventh woman to defend the rainbow bands on tough day on the roads of Zürich
By Adam Becket Published
-