Sarah Storey wins 19th Paralympic gold after thrilling road race finale
Dame Sarah Storey survived an almighty scare in the final kilometres of the women’s C4-5 road race in Paris but stormed back to take her 19th Paralympic gold and 30th medal overall by the narrowest of margins.
With under 2km to go of the 71km race, France’s Heidi Gaugain attacked on the final climb and initially looked to have created a decisive gap over the 46-year-old British cyclist.
Related: Paris Paralympics 2024 day nine: Storey wins her 19th gold, athletics and more – live
It appeared to be a gold-medal-winning move by the teenager but Storey recovered and was back on the Frenchwoman’s wheel as they approached the final straight, before leading her rival into the last 100 metres.
The sprint went to the line with Storey, already with one gold from these Games in the time trial this week, holding off Gaugain by barely half a wheel to seal a memorable 19th gold and surely one of her hardest-earned.
“It’s amazing, really amazing – I’m just delighted that my wheel was in front at the finish,” said Storey. “The lap before a coach of hers [Gaugain] shouted from the other side of the road: ‘Next lap on the left’, so I had a look where we were to make sure I was ready for that.
“He shouted: ‘Go’ and I went too. Heidi took a little bit of a gap, which is fine because that’s a big acceleration that she’d made; I had a little bit of speed because I was trying to preempt it and then it was just a matter of holding her while she continued her acceleration.
“It was a long way out but it was the only tactic she could use because I have the faster sprint. And then, when we were together in that final corner, that’s when I unleashed it. She tried to come again. I could see her furiously peddling feet but I threw my bike and it was mine.”
Of the prospect of aiming for a 20th gold in Los Angeles at the age of 50 in four years time, Storey was keeping her cards close to her chest: “Who knows? I need to enjoy this first.”
• Tanya Aldred’s full report will follow.
