Team USA
About Paracycling Road
Paracycling road is one of the premier disciplines in the Paralympic Games, featuring individual time trials, road races, and the mixed-gender handcycling team relay. It made its Paralympic debut at the New York/Stoke Mandeville 1984 Games and has remained a key event in every Games since. For each event, athletes are classified into specific impairment groups to ensure fair and competitive racing.
Road Race
A mass-start event where all riders within a classification group start together. Races typically take place on looped, long-distance courses. The first rider to cross the finish line wins.
Time Trial
Known as a TT, this is a race against the clock. Riders start individually or in tandem pairs at set intervals. The athlete or pair with the fastest time wins the event.
Impairment Groups
There are four different impairment groups for road cycling: Tandem, Cycling, Handcycle, and Tricycle. Each group includes a range of classifications, from 1 (most impaired) to 5 (least impaired), based on functional ability.
- Tandem (B1-3) - For athletes with a vision impairment. The pilot (sighted rider) will always be on the front, with the stoker (visually impaired rider) on the back.
- Cycling (C1-5): For athletes with impaired range of movement or coordination impairments that ride a standard two wheeled bicycle.
- Handcycle (H1-5): For athletes using an arm/ arm trunk power handcycle in either the recumbent or kneeling/sitting position.
- Tricycle (T1-2): For athletes who are unable to bicycle due to a lack of balance and/or severe restriction with pedaling due to coordination impairment.
Classification
Athletes with amputations, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries/stroke or visual impairments are all eligible to compete in paracycling. In order to compete, you must first be classified.
Official classifications are usually conducted at international UCI/IPC sanctioned events. However, preliminary classifications can be performed at the National Championships or an appointment is made to meet with an IPC qualified physician. At these preliminary meetings, a full medical history is required for review. To learn more about classification, click here.
What is the National Team Designation?
USA Cycling is responsible for supporting and guiding athletes capable of winning Olympic & Paralympic medals, while also identifying, recruiting and developing future Games athletes. Our vision is to be amongst the very best in the world at talent identification, athlete development, management and preparation in all cycling disciplines. The National Team Designation is considered a critical means for achieving this vision. The support provided through the program seeks to offset some of the expenses associated with preparing for and participating in international sport. The program aims to support and assist athletes with the greatest potential to win medals at the Olympic & Paralympic Games and World Championships.
Do you have what it takes to be a part of the team? Click here to view the 2026 National Team Criteria | Support Levels | FAQ
MEET THE TEAM
Para-Cycling Road World Championships
August 28-31, 2025
Ronse, Belgium
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships
Jenny
Ryan
Ryan
Associate Director of Paracycling
Background
Jenny brings over 12 years of experience in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, including seven years at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, five of which were dedicated to the para-cycling program. Prior to her work at the USOPC, she supported grassroots development at USA Triathlon in the club, collegiate, and high school space. A former elite swimmer, Jenny was a 16-time NCAA All-American over her 17-year competitive career.
Sarah
Hammer-Kroening
Hammer-Kroening
Paracycling National Team Coach
Background
Sarah Hammer-Kroening, once celebrated as America’s most decorated track cyclist, is a four-time Olympic silver medalist and eight time World Champion. Following her retirement in 2017, she transitioned into coaching for the U.S. Paralympic Cycling team. She has since become a key leader within the paraycling program, contributing to the teams success at several Paralympic Games since.
Jim
Miller
Miller
Chief of Sport Performance
Background
A successful professional cyclist in his own right, Jim coached several cyclists on the side and eventually retired from racing in 1999 to focus solely on his flourishing coaching career. After developing several notable cyclists, he originally came to USA Cycling to run the women’s road program in 2002. After earning Coach of the Year distinctions from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee in 2003 & 2004, Jim was promoted to director of endurance programs, overseeing the development of American junior, U23, and women endurance athletes in road and track cycling. After making significant strides toward the USA Cycling National Development Program’s goal of developing the next generation of American cyclists, he was named Vice President of Athletics in 2010. In 2017, Jim left USA Cycling to become the Vice President of Business Development for Training Peaks. Unable to resist the Olympic call, he returned to USA Cycling in 2020 as the Chief of Sport Performance. He has earned the International Olympic Committee’s highest honor for coaches, the Order of Ikkos, three times, all for coaching 3-time Olympic Champion Kristen Armstrong to victory.
SUPPORT THE SPORT
By donating to the USA Cycling Foundation, you are supporting the future of American cycling.