Paralympics: McGlynn wins cycling silver for GB

McGlynn was competing in the B classification 1km time trial, and was one of two hotly contested cyclists to take the gold. The other favourite was Felicity Johnson of Australia, who won the gold and broke the Paralympic record.

Speaking after the race McGlynn said: “I’m a little bit disappointed, but at the same time I’m really pleased to win a silver and it’s good to have got a PB as a team together. I’d like to thank the crowd for coming along and supporting us all so much.”

The B classification for the 1km time-trial is for visually impaired athletes, who race the track on a tandem bicycle with a sighted pilot. 

The race

Lora Turnham was the first of the two Brits competing to cycle the track. After a shaky start Turnham, with her pilot Fiona Duncan, raced around the track 1:11:479 – the fastest time out of the first five competitors.

However the New Zealand team, of Philippa Gray piloted by Laura Thompson, then beat Turnham’s time with the two strongest cyclists left to go.

Next to cycle was Aileen McGlynn, piloted by Helen Scott. The pair achieved a time of 1:09:469 – putting them in the first place.

Last to cycle was Felicity Johnson of Australia, piloted by Stephanie Morton. Johnson raced the course in a time of 1:08:919 to claim the gold and a new Paralympic record.

The first silver for today follows success in the velodrome yesterday with Sarah Storey winning gold and Mark Colbourne claiming silver.

You can keep uo to date with today’s Paralympic schedule on the Channel 4 Paralympics site.