H4 is a

para-cycling classification Para-cycling classification is the process of classifying participants in para-cycling covering four functional disability types. The classification system includes classes for handcycles for people who have lower limb mobility issues. The sport i ...

. The UCI recommends this be coded as MH4 or WH4.

Definition

Union Cycliste Internationale The ''Union Cycliste Internationale'' (UCI; ; en, International Cycling Union) is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland. The UCI issues rac ...

(UCI) defines H4 as: *Paraplegic with impairments corresponding to a complete lesion from Th11 or below * No lower limb function or limited function * Normal or almost normal trunk stability * Non-spinal cord injury, functional ability profile equivalent to sport class H4 (ex-H3) * Incomplete loss of lower limb function, functional ability profile equivalent to sport class H4 (ex-H3) or H5 (ex-H4), with other disabilities, which prevent the safe use of a conventional bicycle, tricycle or the Kneeling position in a handbike * Recumbent position in handbike (AP or ATP-bike) * Diplegia and athetosis/ataxia/dystonia (almost normal UE) Hemiplegic with spasticity a minimum of grade 3, lower limb more involved.

The cycle

This classification can use ATP3 knee-seat cycle that is forward leaning on a rigid frame.

Classification history

Cycling first became a Paralympic sport at the

1988 Summer Paralympics The 1988 Summer Paralympics () were the first Paralympics in 24 years to take place in the same city as the 1988 Summer Olympics, Olympic Games. They took place in Seoul, South Korea. This was the first time the term "Paralympic" was used offic ...

. In September 2006, governance for para-cycling passed from the International Paralympic Committee's International Cycling Committee to UCI at a meeting in Switzerland. When this happened, the responsibility of classifying the sport also changed. For the

2016 Summer Paralympics The 2016 Summer Paralympics (), the 15th Summer Paralympic Games, were a major international multi-sport event for disabled sports, athletes with disabilities governed by the International Paralympic Committee, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, fro ...

in Rio, the International Paralympic Committee had a zero classification at the Games policy. This policy was put into place in 2014, with the goal of avoiding last minute changes in classes that would negatively impact athlete training preparations. All competitors needed to be internationally classified with their classification status confirmed prior to the Games, with exceptions to this policy being dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Competitors

Competitors in this classification include

Ernst van Dyk Ernst Francois van Dyk OIS (born 4 April 1973) is a South African wheelchair racer and handcyclist. He has won a record 10 wheelchair titles in the Boston Marathon. He was also awarded the Laureus World Sports Awards for ''Sportsperson with ...

(South Africa),

Alex Zanardi Alessandro "Alex" Zanardi (; born 23 October 1966) is an Italian professional racing driver and paracyclist. He won the CART championship in 1997 and 1998, and took 15 wins in the series. He also raced in Formula One from 1991 to 1994 and again ...

(Italy),

Andrea Eskau Andrea Eskau (born 21 March 1971) is a German handbiker, Paralympic biathlon, and cross country skier who was born in Apolda and was a winner of three gold medals in Summer Paralympic games. In 2014, she became a recipient of another gold med ...

(Germany) and

Laura de Vaan Laura de Vaan (born 11 August 1980 in Uden) is a Dutch Paralympian who competes in handcycle events. de Vaan has appeared in two Summer Paralympics, 1998 in Beijing and 2012 in London. In the London Games she won silver in the H4 women's road ...

(Netherlands).

Rankings

This classification has UCI rankings for elite competitors.

Events

Events for this classification at the include the men's Individual H 4 Road Race, Men's Individual H 4 Time Trial, women's Individual H 4 Road Race, and Women's Individual H 4 Time Trial.

Becoming classified

Classification is handled by

. Classification for the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships is completed by at least two classification panels. Members of the classification panel must not have a relationship with the cyclist and must not be involved in the World Championships in any other role than as classifier. In national competitions, the classification is handled by the national cycling federation. Classification often has three components: physical, technical and observation assessment.

References

{{Para-cycling classifications Para-cycling classification Parasports classifications