UCI World Cycling Centre hosts para cyclists for track training camp

Focus on track

With the new Paralympic cycle underway, eight para cyclists have just spent a week training at the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland.

Representing Austria, Ireland, Norway and the United Arab Emirates, the athletes spent much of their time on the UCI WCC’s indoor velodrome and in the gym, with some optional road rides thrown in. They also attended classroom sessions for media and social media training and cycling integrity. Their afternoon off was spent at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

UCI Para cycling Manager Todd Fraser explained: “This camp was essentially for development riders, but there were also some extremely experienced para cyclists who do not have easy access to a velodrome.

“Throughout the week, they had access not only to quality facilities, but also the expert coaching of our professional track coaches. Quite a few of the camp participants already have their eyes on the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games and the idea was that they leave Aigle with solid track experience and training advice that will help them continue their progression.”

From the mouths of the athletes

For Norwegian C4 rider Kevin Touya – a regular on the international para cycling road circuit – the camp was a chance to get to grips with riding on the velodrome: “I’m new to track and have been learning a lot, in particular doing starts from the block, rotations with the other riders, and even just getting used to the different gearing.”

Ireland’s Tojo Lazzari was a successful triathlete until a shoulder injury put paid to swimming and forced him to give up the multi-discipline sport. After taking time out to start up his own business, he was eager to get back into competition and for the last 18 months has been training specifically for track… without access to a track.

“This is just my third time on a real track, so it’s great this week to get some decent time in the velodrome. I’m still exploring the discipline but I’m strong and like sprinting,” says the C4 rider whose goal is to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Austrian Franz-Josef Laesser (C4) already competed at the Paralympics in Paris 2024 and medalled (two silvers and a bronze) at the 2024 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). He also trains with his country’s Elite national team but jumped at the opportunity to spend a week with fellow para cyclists at the UCI WCC.

“It’s a dream situation here, everything is on site, and you can fully focus on your training. It’s not just the track but the coaches. This camp is an opportunity to see other approaches to training. It has given me new input towards my training, and I can see what I can improve going towards the 2028 Paralympics.”

UCI WCC para cycling camp participants

  • Franz-Josef Laesser (AUT), C5

  • Jessica Kennedy (IRE), B – and her pilot Shauna Finn

  • Tojo Lazzari (IRL), C5

  • Heather Jameson (IRL), C3

  • Ciarán O’Toole (IRL), B – and his pilot Marcin Mizgajski

  • Kevin Touya (NOR), C4

  • Ahmed Albedwawi (UAE), C5

  • Abdulla Alblooshi (UAE) C5

The UAE riders were accompanied by their coach Mohammed Alblooshi.

Para cycling sport classes

  • C – Cycle: conventional bike with adaptations if necessary

  • T – Tricycle: three-wheeled bike

  • B – Tandem: for visually impaired athletes with sighted pilot

  • H – Handcycle

Groups C (1-5), T (1-2) and H (1-5) are divided into different sport classes, with the lower the number indicating a higher level of impairment.