By Tom Degun

allison jones_20-10-11October 20 - US Paralympics have announced the 19 athletes selected to compete for Team USA at the 2012 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Los Angeles, with the women's reigning world pursuit champion Allison Jones (pictured) set to spearhead the challenge for the hosts.


Jones, who became a right leg amputee shortly after being born without a right femur, also won silver at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics in the time trial and is set to be a strong medal contender yet again at the event at the Home Depot Centre, which also acts as a qualifier for the London 2012 Paralympics.

The athletes were selected for the event based on results from the 2011 USA Cycling Paralympic Track National Championships and Craig Griffin, the head coach and high performance director of the US Paralympics cycling team, is confident his team can be successful at the three-day event which takes place, from February 9 until 12.

"I'm very excited about the team we are fielding which is a blend of past world championship medallists and a handful of new talent," said Griffin.

"It's a great opportunity for our team, especially with it being in Los Angeles on a familiar track and a home crowd."

Jennifer Schuble_20-10-11
As well as Jones, five other women will compete as part of the US team including 2011 World Championship double medallist Jennifer Schuble (pictured) and world record holder Karissa Whitsell, who will compete with her pilot Lisa Turnbull.

In the men's team, the top US medal prospects at the event are likely to be 2011 World Championship silver medallist Vincent Juarez and 2009 world champions Clark Rachfal, who will compete alongside pilot Dave Swanson.

The competition in Los Angeles will see around 230 athletes from 30 countries compete as they bid not only for world championship glory but also for London 2012 qualification.

For the US athletes, it will be their last opportunity to earn a Paralympic spot while the team will also be hoping to build on a successful display at the 2011 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championship in Montichiari, Italy in March when they finished fifth in the overall medal table with six total medals.

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