Darren Kenny, Paralympic Cyclist tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008-09-05:/1 2008-12-31T22:10:19Z In it for the Lycra Movable Type Commercial 4.21-en Three More Letters; Darren Kenny O.B.E tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.43 2008-12-31T00:01:00Z 2008-12-31T22:10:19Z Darren has received an O.B.E in the New Year Honours List 2009 in recognition For services to Disabled Sport. Darren is over the moon. "I have known since the middle of November and it has been quite difficult to keep... Rob Kenny Darren has received an O.B.E in the New Year Honours List 2009 in recognition For services to Disabled Sport.

Darren is over the moon. "I have known since the middle of November and it has been quite difficult to keep it a secret."

Darren is now the most successful British Paralympic cyclist, having won four golds and one silver medal in Beijing and two golds and one silver medal in Athens in 2004.

For a full list see http://www.honours.gov.uk/lists/2009honours.aspx.

]]> Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.42 2008-12-27T18:05:01Z 2008-12-30T23:31:34Z If you are out on Monday night set your video. Darren is taking part in a Gold Medallists from the Beijing Olympics Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? special. Darren and paralympic swimmer Liz Johnson are raising money for the... Rob Kenny If you are out on Monday night set your video. Darren is taking part in a Gold Medallists from the Beijing Olympics Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? special.

Darren and paralympic swimmer Liz Johnson are raising money for the Piam Brown Child Cancer Ward and Dreamflight. Also appearing are Rower Zac Purchase and sailor Sarah Webb answering questions to raise funds for the Dyslexia Association and the RNLI and rower Steve Williams and athlete Christine Ohuruogu play to raise money for Livability and SportsAid.

]]> Cycling Weekly Riders of the Year tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.41 2008-12-25T10:00:00Z 2008-12-31T22:11:26Z During December cycling weekly have been running a CW'S TOP 50 RIDERS OF 2008 ADVENT CALENDAR with the final 10 being revealed in their December 25th Issue, each rider getting a page to explain why they deserved to be in... Rob Kenny During December cycling weekly have been running a CW'S TOP 50 RIDERS OF 2008 ADVENT CALENDAR with the final 10 being revealed in their December 25th Issue, each rider getting a page to explain why they deserved to be in the top 10.

The issue is out and they placed Darren 7th overall, the highest placed Paralympian. First place went to Chris Hoy.

]]> Busy Weekend tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.40 2008-12-13T16:34:40Z 2008-12-13T16:37:22Z This evening Darren is switching on the Christmas lights in Verwood before attending the Bourmouth Arrow dinner. Sunday Darren is up to Liverpool to attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, watch for him on the TV.... Rob Kenny This evening Darren is switching on the Christmas lights in Verwood before attending the Bourmouth Arrow dinner.

Sunday Darren is up to Liverpool to attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, watch for him on the TV.

]]> Back to Beijing?? tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.38 2008-12-12T16:08:23Z 2008-12-12T18:04:23Z Well, I've back a while now and it's been pretty busy with all sorts of things. It's all been fun but it time to get on with the bike riding again. My project now is to establish a para-cycling "athletes"... Darren http://www.darrenkenny.co.uk Well, I've back a while now and it's been pretty busy with all sorts of things. It's all been fun but it time to get on with the bike riding again.

My project now is to establish a para-cycling "athletes" hour record. that's the one with no aero aids, just a traditional bike with spoked wheels and drops etc. I've got most things in place with help from Specialized, terry Dolan, Dave Mellor Cycles and of course, the indispensible Gary Brickley (Brighton Uni) but unfortunately I'm struggling to find a main sponsor to cover other costs.

Any business.wanting to help can contact me through the comments bit on the site.
My last hour record ( on a pursuit bike ) gained a lot of coverage so I'm hoping for the same, or more, this time. It's not just about doing something for me , it's also about trying to raise the profile of para-cycling in general and that's why we are planning to do it at the world cup in Beijing (still waiting for the go ahead from the organisers).

Lastly a big thanks to everyone who supported me this year. It meant a lot to get all the messages while I was competing and after.

Merry Christmas
Darren

]]> 2008 Sport Journalists' Association Sports Awards tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.39 2008-11-26T20:00:00Z 2008-12-13T13:21:22Z Every year the Sports Journalists' Association, who the 600-plus members include sports writers, broadcasters, photographers and sub-editors, gather to honour the sports people that have made the news in the last year. The year marked the 60th Anniversary of the... Rob Kenny Every year the Sports Journalists' Association, who the 600-plus members include sports writers, broadcasters, photographers and sub-editors, gather to honour the sports people that have made the news in the last year. The year marked the 60th Anniversary of the awards and were held at The Brewery in London.

Darren won the Bill McGowran Trophy for disabled sport, but was not the only cyclist honoured, Chris Hoy won the Sportsman Award, Great Britian Cycling won the Team Award, Rebecca Romero won the UK Sport Award and Jason Kenny won the Peter Wilson Award for international newcomer.

For more information on the Sports Journalists' Association visit their website [http://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk](http://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk)

]]> Children In Need 2008 tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.37 2008-11-10T20:47:46Z 2008-11-10T20:50:22Z This year Children In Need takes place on the 14th November 2008. Team Midland Racing have organised a 24 Hour Cycling marathon, transporting Pudsey Bear round the Calshot Velodrome. This is not a task for a single rider, there will... Rob Kenny This year Children In Need takes place on the 14th November 2008. Team Midland Racing have organised a 24 Hour Cycling marathon, transporting Pudsey Bear round the Calshot Velodrome. This is not a task for a single rider, there will a number of teams. Each team leader, dressed in yellow, will carry Pudsey on their handle bars for an hour before the teams switch.

The marathon starts on Thursday 13th at 22:00. One of the teams is the GB Paralympic Team, consisting of Darren Kenny and Simon Richardson. They have the honour of carrying Pudsey between 18:00-19:00 (that is 6pm - 7pm in old money) on the 14th.

If you can, head down to cheer them at the Calshot Activities Centre, Calshot Spit, Fawley, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 1BR.

For more information visit the Team Midland 24 Hour Trackathon site

]]> Cycling Show 2008 tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.36 2008-10-09T17:39:03Z 2008-10-09T17:42:52Z On Friday 10th October the 2008 Cycle Show, the UK's leading cycle show, opens it doors. Darren will be attending as a special guest on Saturday 11th October.... Rob Kenny On Friday 10th October the 2008 Cycle Show, the UK's leading cycle show, opens it doors. Darren will be attending as a special guest on Saturday 11th October.

]]> Catching up on Four Years of Sleep tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.34 2008-09-19T21:13:19Z 2008-09-19T22:22:54Z "I am going to catch up on four years of sleep" that was the plan revealed this morning by Darren on BBC breakfast. It has been a hectic few weeks, not only for Darren but for all of the ParalympicsGB... Rob Kenny "I am going to catch up on four years of sleep" that was the plan revealed this morning by Darren on BBC breakfast. It has been a hectic few weeks, not only for Darren but for all of the ParalympicsGB athletes in Beijing.

They arrived back yesterday in a Gold nosed British Airways plane to cheering crowds at Heathrow's Terminal 5. The athletes were 'released' in small groups to allow time for photographs and Darren barely had time to snatch a hug and kiss from the family before being whisked off to a photo op. The Families then went to the first class lounge to wait. After a while they were back for another round of hugs and kisses before off for a press conference. Press conference over and almost 2 hours after the plane had landed the athletes finally belonged to their families again and it was time to prepare for the journey home. For some it was on to another plane, for others there was long drive ahead, the lucky ones were already close to home.

From a family point of view a big thank you to the British Airways staff for all their help and hospitality during the waiting times.

]]> Day Seven - 13 September 2008 tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.33 2008-09-13T10:03:54Z 2008-09-13T18:55:34Z Today was the last day of cycling for ParalympicsGB, a fact I am sure that will be welcomed by the other countries. Darren was in the final race to start of the day, the Men's Individual. Road Race LC 3/LC... Rob Kenny Today was the last day of cycling for ParalympicsGB, a fact I am sure that will be welcomed by the other countries.

Darren was in the final race to start of the day, the Men's Individual. Road Race LC 3/LC 4/CP 3, along with fellow ParalympicsGBer Simon Richardson. Towards the end of the 60.5 Km race there were just two riders that had broken away from the pack, no surprises that they were Darren and Javier.

Darren dug into his reserves in the last 150 meters to finish 1.74 seconds ahead of Javier and claim Gold in his final event of the games. Simon Richardson finished 10th.

Darren said later "It's an honour to race with Ochoa. It makes winning even more special"

Taking into account the 2 Golds and 1 Silver won in Athens 2004 and the 4 Golds and 1 Silver in Beijing, Darren is now the most sucessful British Paralympic cyclist ever.

There was Gold to today for David Stone in the Mixed Road Race (CP1/CP2) , coming home a full 3 minutes before his nearest opponents.

Rachel Morris finished in sixth place in the individual hand cycling road race (HC A-C) and Mark Bristow finished 24th in the LC1-2/CP4 road race.

That brings ParalympicsGB medal total on the Road to 5 Gold, the teams 17th Gold for these games.

]]> Day Six - 12 September 2008 tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.32 2008-09-12T21:28:58Z 2008-09-12T22:00:16Z When you are racing on the road and your main rival has previously won stages of the Tour de France you are going to have a tough time. There was only 2 names in the frame for Gold in the... Rob Kenny When you are racing on the road and your main rival has previously won stages of the Tour de France you are going to have a tough time. There was only 2 names in the frame for Gold in the Men's Individual Time Trial CP 3 on the road today; Darren Kenny and Javier Ochoa, the last two riders in the race.

Darren was the penultimate rider and completed the 24.8km in 37:38.42 a clear minute ahead of the nearest rival, Yong-Sik Jin and setting the pace for Ochoa.In a repeat of the outcome at Athens 2004 Ochoa pulled a time of 37:26.47 to win Gold with Darren taking Silver and Yong-Sik winning bronze.

Silver was the colour for Simon Richardson as well, with the double Gold Medal winning LC3 rider coming second to Laurent Thirionet of France.

Sarah Storey gained her second Gold of the games on the road with a nail biting finish in the Women's Individual Time Trial LC 1/LC 2/CP 4 beating Jennifer Schuble of USA.

All these names are familiar if you have followed the action in the Velodrome, but ParalympicsGB had fresh Muscle to bring to the road.

Rachel Morris took Gold in the Women's Individual Time Trial (HCA/HCB/HCC) and David Stone took Gold in the Mixed Time Trial (CP1/CP2).

With two scorching days left of the cycling programme ParalympicsGB has won 15 Gold and 3 Silver medals.

]]> Veni Vici Velodrome tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.31 2008-09-11T22:48:26Z 2008-09-12T07:07:06Z Yesterday afternoon I finally managed to speak to Darren, having received a text message in the morning from him thanking everyone for their support. I was a bit noisy as he was in the front of a Taxi (not in... Rob Kenny Yesterday afternoon I finally managed to speak to Darren, having received a text message in the morning from him thanking everyone for their support. I was a bit noisy as he was in the front of a Taxi (not in a Bradley Wiggins way) just going back to the village after finishing things off in style in the velodrome.

There have been no cycling events today, just preparation for the three days of Road ahead, so maybe it is a good time to point you to some of the press coverage of ParalympicsGB at the velodrome.

The British Cycling Website has daily reports and pictures.

The Official Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Web Site has a cycling headlnes section that makes great reading.

China View also has good coverage of the games in general.

There are few quotes that I have liked, apparently everybody wants to know the ParalympicsGB cycling team secrets. Ellen Hunter said: 'They ask what I had for breakfast. I tell them cornflakes. We're not giving much away.'

But the final quote must go to my nephew Brandon. When interviewed on 5 live he was ask what he thought about Darren's performance 'It's brilliant - I'm going to go and buy my dad a Superman t-shirt'

]]> BBC Television Coverage tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.30 2008-09-10T18:44:10Z 2008-09-10T20:36:24Z On the BBC Sports Editor Blog there is news that they have freed up some time in the schedules for Thursday and Friday and have moved some of the Red Button coverage to BBC2 from 1030 BST to 12 noon... Rob Kenny On the BBC Sports Editor Blog there is news that they have freed up some time in the schedules for Thursday and Friday and have moved some of the Red Button coverage to BBC2 from 1030 BST to 12 noon before reverting back to the Red Button.

One interesting fact is that the viewing figures for the Opening Ceremony was much higher than for the last couple of live England football matches.

If you live in the UK and want to watch Darren race then you can watch episodes of Games today on BBC iPlayer. Darren is featured on Day Three and Day Four shows.

]]> Day Four - 10 September 2008 tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.29 2008-09-10T14:49:39Z 2008-09-10T14:50:11Z Today was the last day of track cycling and at the Laoshan Velodrome with tomorrow a day of preparation before the start of the Road Racing. Out of the 4 possible Gold's avilable today ParalympicsGB was contesting 3 of them.... Rob Kenny Today was the last day of track cycling and at the Laoshan Velodrome with tomorrow a day of preparation before the start of the Road Racing. Out of the 4 possible Gold's avilable today ParalympicsGB was contesting 3 of them.

First on the podium was Sarah Storey in the Women's Ind. Pursuit (LC 3-4/CP 3), winning in world record time just ahead of Jennifer Schuble.

Next came Antony Kappes & Barney Storey in the Men's Sprint (B&VI 1-3), besting Austrila 2-0 to bring their medal total to 2.

The final velodrome event was the Men's Team Sprint (LC1-4 CP3/4) and was tightly fought between Darren Kenny, Jody Cundy and Mark Bristow and the host nation, well three of them at least; Zhang Kuidong, Zhang Lu and Zheng Yuanchao. The chinese trio pushed hard, losing ground on the last lap to finish less than a second behind.

Friday is the start of the Road racing with Darren Kenny, Sarah Storey, Mark Bristow and Simon Richardson looking for Gold in the shadow of the Great Wall along with fellow road specialists David Stone and Rachel Morris.

]]> Day Three - 9 September 2008 tag:www.darrenkenny.co.uk,2008://1.28 2008-09-09T15:32:28Z 2008-09-09T15:33:24Z Everyone is in agreement, Great Britain is dominating the cycling. Today the Paralympic cycling teams Gold medal count surpassed the outstanding results of the Olympic team a few weeks ago and there are still events to go, both in the... Rob Kenny Everyone is in agreement, Great Britain is dominating the cycling. Today the Paralympic cycling teams Gold medal count surpassed the outstanding results of the Olympic team a few weeks ago and there are still events to go, both in the Velodrome and on the road.

In the 1Km Time Trial (CP3) Rik Waddon took 2 seconds off Darren's world record set at the 2007 Championships in France, only to see Darren within the space of a few minutes shave another 1.5 seconds off Rik's time to become the first CP3 rider ever to ride the 1Km in under 1:10. A second Gold and World Record for Darren in this games with a Silver medal for Rik.

Darren was not the only double Gold, double World Record cyclist in ParalympicsGB today. Simon Richardson followed Darren's example in the 3KM Men's Individual Pusuit (LC3) by shaving 6 seconds off the World Record in the heats and winning Gold in the Final.

Aileen McGlynn and Ellen Hunter also added another Gold in the Women's Individual Pursuit (B&VI) speeding away from the Australians Lindy Hou and Toireasa Gallagher to finish 1.5 seconds ahead.

The next Gold of the day came from Mark Bristow in the Men's 1Km Time Trail (LC1), flying round the track and trimming 0.2 seconds from the previous world record.

Final Gold of the day came from former paralympic swimmer Jody Cundy setting a new world record in the Men's 1Km Time Trail (LC2), beating the previous record by some 3 seconds, 5 seconds ahead of Jiri Kezek of the Czech Republic.

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