Rachel Morris
From: Milford Haven
Age: 28
Discipline: Road (hand-cycle)
Rachel Morris, 28, was spotted as a potential 2012 contender when, after just six months, Morris had put in so many miles, she had virtually worn down her hand-cycle.
Yet her Paralympic debut is coming a little sooner than expected! She cemented her arrival on the world scene with a double gold medal performance at her first-ever UCI Para-Cycling Championships in Bordeaux in August in the road race and time trial.
With the support of GB National Disability Coach Chris Furber, Endurance Coach Gary Brickley and Wales Disability Coach Neil Smith, Morris was placed on a full-time coaching programme with a brand new custom made hand-cycle.
She began her competitive debut in hand-cycling last year (2006), competing in a round of the European Handcycling series, finishing 4th in the same time as German Time-Trial Champion, Eskau, and Dutch Road Race Champion, Van De Vorst.
Morris’ talents do not end on the bike – she is also an accomplished sailor and competes at an international level.