THE WHIRLWIND

SAM RUDDOCK

You might not expect a UCI World Champion para-cyclist to start out in American Football but current men’s C1 1km Time Trial star Sam Ruddock began his sporting career as a linebacker. Born with cerebral palsy, Sam was the only player with a disability in the whole British University League.

In his final year, a coach saw his potential as an athlete and, despite his initial anxiety about going into a new sport, Sam was on the GB Paralympic Athletics team within months, running the 100m and 200m races at London 2012. Sam switched from sprinting to shot put soon after, competing in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

It was 2019 before the multi-talented sportsman joined the Great Britain Cycling Team, going on to win the Kilo time trial title at the 2022 UCI Paracycling Track World Championships. Never one to stay still for long, you’d be well advised to catch this non-stop star while you have the chance. Blink and you might miss him.

With five world titles in the bag at just 18 years old, Welsh road racing cyclist Zoe Bäckstedt is something of a cycling prodigy. In 2021, she kicked off her UCI medal collection with one gold (Junior Women Road Race) and one silver (Junior Women Individual Time Trial), before upgrading the silver for a gold in 2022, and retaining her title on the road. She also competes in track and Cyclo-cross, and is reigning world junior champ in Cyclo-cross and the Madison.

It should perhaps come as no surprise that riding is in Zoe’s blood. Her mother Megan Hughes and father Magnus Bäckstedt (2004 Paris-Roubaix winner) are both former pros, and her sister Elynor also rides professionally. Not that her racing relatives should take away from her remarkable talent. Zoe is one of the most dedicated and disciplined riders on the road. As you’ll no doubt see for yourself.