PONTHIR’S James Ball will hunt gold when he enjoys another battle with fellow Brit Neil Fachie at the Paris Paralympic Games.
The 33-year-old will compete at his third Games in Paris at the end of August and start of September.
He will chase gold after narrowly missing out to Fachie when winning silver in Tokyo three years ago.
Visually-impaired Ball will join forces with Ceredigion’s Steffan Lloyd, a Paralympics debutant, when taking part in the men’s B 1,000m time-trial and individual pursuit.
The pair won gold in the sprint at the National Track Championships in Manchester in February when they turned the tables on Fachie and pilot Matt Rotherham after being edged out in the time-trial.
James Ball and Steffan Lloyd are heading for the Paris Paralympics (Image: PA)
“Paris here we come! Extremely proud to announce that I have been selected for my third Paralympic Games representing Great Britain,” Ball posted on social media.
“Myself and Steff have put so much work into this so looking forward to the final push before we head to Paris in a few weeks.”
Ball, a former athletics sprinter who turned to cycling after injury scuppered his London 2012 hopes, already has an impressive medal haul.
He has been on top of the podium at the World Championships in the tandem kilo and sprint in 2017, tandem sprint in 2020 and tandem mixed sprint in 2022.
Ball also won sprint gold for Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
After finishing fifth on his Paralympics debut at Rio in 2016 and silver in Tokyo, piloted by Craig McLean and Lewis Stewart respectively, the Gwent rider and his west Walian partner will hope to beat Scottish legend Fachie.
“With their sights set on gold, Steff and James are ready to leave everything on the track, promising an electrifying showdown that will have fans on the edge of their seats,” said Welsh Cycling.
“James and Steff’s selection for Team GB is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and the entire nation will be cheering them on as they aim for a gold medal in Paris.”
James Ball and pilot Steffan Lloyd are heading for the Paris Paralympics (Image: PA)
GB have named a 17-strong team with Dame Sarah Storey set to become the first British athlete to compete at nine Paralympic Games.
The 46-year-old surpassed former swimmer Mike Kenny as GB’s most successful Paralympian at Tokyo 2020 by winning a trio of golds to take her career total to 17.
Fellow reigning Paralympic champions Kadeena Cox, Jody Cundy, Lora Fachie, Neil Fachie, Jaco van Gass and Ben Watson are also in the squad.
Track cycling will be staged from August 29 to September 1 at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome, while road events will take place between September 4 and 7, beginning in the suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois.
ParalympicsGB’s cyclists enjoyed their most successful Games in Japan, winning 24 medals, with every rider securing at least one podium place.
British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said: “The strength and depth across our team is unmatched.
“We have Dame Sarah Storey and Jody Cundy competing at their ninth and eighth Games respectively, plus new talent including Archie Atkinson and Lizzie Jordan who are ready to show the world what they can achieve.
“ParalympicsGB has a strong history of cycling success and I am confident that this Games will continue that trend of medal-winning performances to hopefully inspire those watching at home to get on a bike and find the joy of cycling.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here