2012 is the year it all happens for British cycling.

Olympic year promises to be the next instalment of the best selling success story that opened with a compelling chapter entitled ‘Beijing’, began a second print run co-authored by Team Sky, and whose follow-up centered on the exploits of new hero, one Mark Cavendish.

We’ll be getting the thoughts of cycling’s movers and shakers throughout January in our series “2012: Cycling’s biggest year”. Today, is the turn of double Paralympic gold medalist, Barney Storey, a man whose formidable talent on a track tandem went on show at Saturday’s Revolution meeting as he made final preparations to represent the nation at the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships in Los Angeles, next month.

 

Storey, an able-bodied pilot for para-cycling team mates, made his mark on track racing in 2005, becoming national 200m sprint champion with Craig MacLean. He successfully defended the title a year later with Paralympian, Anthony Kappes, beginning a fruitful partnership that two years later brought the pair Paralympic gold medals in the 1km time trial and sprint races at the Beijing Games. Storey is also a four-time world disability champion, taking gold in the 1km time trial and sprint at the 2006 and 2007 para-cycling world championships.

What are your goals for 2012?

“That [a Paralympic gold medal] would be good, but we really shouldn’t get carried away at this stage. Obviously, the world championship is the number one priority. It’s the last qualifying event for national places and it’s vital we get the number of points we need and put down a performance that means us being in the team. Competition for places in the men’s tandem team is very high.”

Is 2012 the year that cycling becomes truly mainstream in the UK?

“It’s exciting to have so many good bike riders around at the same time. Everyone is trying to lay down a strong performance. The public are going with it and enjoying it. It’s a huge difference from 10 years ago, and I’m glad that Sarah [Barney’s wife and multiple paralympic gold medalist] and I are part of it.”

Can Mark Cavendish win the Olympic road race?

“You’re asking the wrong person [Storey is a track specialist]! Obviously, I would love to see him do it -he’s British and I’m British – but there are so many things that can happen in a road race that I really don’t know.”

What bridges does cycling still have to cross in 2012?

“Road safety is a concern, but the more the sport grows the more educated everyone becomes. That goes hand-in-hand.”

What advice do you have for anyone bitten by the cycling bug in 2012?

“Get out on your bike and enjoy it! And don’t forget to wear a helmet!”