By Fatma Younis
British para-cyclist Jody Cundy will attempt to extend his unbeaten run in the kilo time trial to 20 consecutive years when the Para-cycling Track World Championships begin Thursday in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. The 48-year-old has not lost the one-kilometre event at the Worlds since 2006, a streak that includes six Paralympic cycling titles across his career.
Rising challenge from teammate
Cundy faces strong competition from within the Great Britain squad, notably 22-year-old Archie Atkinson. Atkinson beat Cundy at last year's National Track Championships before Cundy reclaimed the world title months later. "If he wins, it's historic. There aren't many people who can win for 20 years," Atkinson said.
Criticism of competition calendar
Cundy, whom teammates call "captain," criticized the UCI for hosting only one major para-cycling track event per year outside the Paralympics. "When it comes to track cycling we have one race a year, the World Championships, and then every four years we have a Games. That's really not good enough," he said. The UCI did not respond to a request for comment.
Future uncertain
Cundy has no fixed retirement plan but acknowledges qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics at age 49 will be difficult. He expressed interest in remaining in sport through coaching, management, or governance roles to improve para-cycling globally.
