Dame Sarah set to get back in the saddle at Newport International Para-Cycling Cup

By Gary Anderson

November 20 - Dame Sarah Storey will make her return to competitive action following the birth of her daughter Louisa Marie in June at the upcoming Newport International Para-Cycling Cup in Wales at the end of the month.

Britain's most decorated female Paralympian will join fellow gold medallists Jody Cundy, Darren Kenny and Neil Fachie at the event in the Wales National Velodrome which is also expected to attract some of the top international stars in the sport.

Dame Sarah, who took four Para-cycling gold medals at London 2012 to add to her two from Beijing 2008, is itching to get back in the saddle and says she is looking forward to competing again having given birth in June.

"I can't wait to race again, and it's great that British Cycling, UK Sport and Newport City Council have come together to provide this opportunity," said Dame Sarah, who also has five swimming gold medals from Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

"I'm looking forward to being able to measure my fitness against the best in the world, as well as being able to once again compete in front of a home crowd."

The 36-year-old, who is married to triple Paralympic champion Barney Storey, will be wearing the colours of her trade team Breast Cancer Care RT.

Dame Sarah's four medals in London saw her become Britain's most decorated female Paralympian in history with a total of 11 golds ©Getty Images

With the International Cycling Federation (UCI) 2014 Para-Cycling World Championships set to take place in South Carolina next August, the meeting in Newport will provide an opportunity for British Cycling to assess the form and fitness of its riders as preparations begin to get underway, according to the governing body's Para-cycling performance manager Gareth Sheppard.

"The team has been training hard since the Paralympic Games, and this event has given them the added motivation of a clear target to aim for, whether they're competing for GB or for their trade team," Sheppard said.

"It's an interesting time for the squad as we have some exciting new prospects challenging our established Paralympic champions for places on the programme which is a healthy situation.

"Overall, the team are in a good place and we're looking forward to being able to race."

The event, due to run from November 29 to December 1, will mark the 10th anniversary of the Wales National Velodrome, which has been frequently used by British cyclists as a training base including by the all-conquering London 2012 squad.

Paralympic champion Darren Kenny will also be competing at the Wales National Velodrome in Newport ©Getty Images

"That the Wales National Velodrome will host the Newport International Para-Cycling Cup demonstrates that Newport is a sporting city with the facilities to host top class sporting competitions," said Debbie Wilcox, a Newport City Council Cabinet member.