Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Storey strikes gold in road race to keep title
DAME Sarah Storey secured her 19 t h P a r a l y mp i c gold medal at the 2024 Paralympics, retaining her title in the women’s C4-5 road race.
French 19-year-old Heidi Gaugain made a break for victory in the final stages of the 71km event in Paris before the reigning champion reeled her in and punched the air in celebration.
This victory adds to Storey’s remarkable 30 Paralympic medals, including 19 golds, making her Britain’s most successful Paralympian.
Reflecting on the race, Storey acknowledged the challenge of racing against younger athletes but said her experience gave her the advantage in the final sprint.
Asked if she will be in LA in 2028, Storey said: “I need to enjoy this one first but, to quote American gymnast Simone Biles – never say never to anything.
“This just needs to sink in first, because it was actually one of the most exciting races that we’ve had. From the word go, it was full gas.
“My glutes are on fire.
“I was creaking before the race, absolutely.
“But that’s normal, and it’s about finding ways to manage the process and the privilege of getting old as an athlete.
“I wanted to be an athlete for as long as I possibly could.
“I never anticipated eight Games, let alone nine.
“You put yourself out there every time you put yourself on the start line, and I keep doing that and keep finding ways to win a bike race, so long may that continue.”
Former swimmer Storey was back in Clichy-sous-bois in the eastern suburbs of the French capital two days on from complaining about the short distance of the 14.1km time trial after retaining the title in that event.
The mother of two, watched by husband Barney and children Louisa and Charlie, was among the leading pack for the duration of the ride, alongside teenage runner-up Gaugain and Colombian bronze medallist Paula Ossa, before pulling away when it mattered most.
Reflecting on competing against Gaugain, Storey recalled her own career at the same age, remembering her return from the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, where she won three of her five swimming gold medals.
British cyclist Sophie Unwin also took gold in the women’s B road race with her pilot Jenny Holl.
The pair narrowly beat Ireland’s Katie-george Dunlevy and Linda Kelly by three seconds in a close race over 99.4km.
Fellow British cyclist Lora Fachie, with her pilot Corrine Hall, secured the bronze, finishing one minute and 35 seconds behind Unwin and Holl’s winning time of two hours, 37 minutes and 26 seconds.
In the men’s events, British riders Blaine Hunt and Archie Atkinson did not finish the men’s C4-5 road race.
Additionally, visually impaired rider Stephen Bate withdrew from the men’s B event due to his tandem pilot, Chris Latham, suffering from illness.