Horan previously competed in athletics and earned a silver medal in the women's T44 200 metres at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, after two runners ahead of her tripped.

She made the transition to cycling back in 2013 and in February took 0.353 seconds off the world record she set last year in the women’s C4 200m event, after clocking 13.198sec.

The 40-year-old will be joined in the team by tandem duo Emma Foy and Laura Thompson, who will head into the Championships as triple world champions.

Having teamed up in 2013, when Foy entered the sport, the pair earned gold in the women’s 3km pursuit at the 2014 International Cycling Union (UCI) Para-cycling World Championships.

They were then able to successfully defend the title in 2015 and 2016, leaving Foy and Thompson heading to Rio 2016 as the favourites to earn Paralympic gold in the discipline.

“It is a real honour to be selected to represent New Zealand at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Para-cycling,” said Foy.

“To represent New Zealand at my first Paralympic Games and the pinnacle event for Para-athletes is going to be amazing.

“I will be riding my heart out and will be aiming to thank our New Zealand supporters with great performances in Rio.”

Thompson previously earned gold, silver and bronze at London 2012 as the pilot for Phillipa Gray.

Amanda Cameron will also compete in visually impaired competition at the Paralympic Games, alongside her pilot Hannah van Kampen.

The team is completed by men’s C4 cyclist Byron Raubenheimer and T2 competitor Stephen Hills, with both riders due to make their first appearance at a Games.

“We believe this is one of our strongest ever Para-Cycling teams to attend a Paralympic Games,” said Alex Baumann, chief executive of High Performance Sport NZ.

“With truly world leading Para-athletes and a world class support team, I would like to congratulate all the Para-athletes selected today and acknowledge their hard work and dedication in their pursuit of excellence."