Mark Lee Colbourne MBE (born 9 November 1969) is a former

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peopl ...

paralympic-cyclist, who competed for both Wales and Great Britain.

Early life

Colbourne was born on 9 November 1969 in Tredegar, Monmouthshire, Wales. He played volleyball at international level for Wales between 1990 and 1993. He broke his back in 2009 after falling when forced into an emergency landing whilst paragliding.

Cycling career

Following his accident Colbourne began cycling through Disability Sport Wales. He competes in the C1 classification for riders on upright bikes with the most severe disability. He trained with disabled cycling coach Neil Smith at the

Newport Velodrome The Geraint Thomas National Velodrome, previously known as the Wales National Velodrome, in Newport, South Wales, is an indoor arena located in the Newport International Sports Village, Lliswerry. The Velodrome's facilities including a covered 25 ...

and made his first appearance in a track race in May 2010 at the Wales Grand Prix. In 2011 he won his first UCI Para-Cycling World Cup medals. He took bronze in the C1 time trail in Segovia, Spain at his debut at World Cup level. At the round in Baie-Comeau, Canada, he won the silver medal in the same event behind Juan Jose Mendez Fernandez of Spain. His first World Championship medal was a silver at the 2011 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships held in Roskilde, Denmark. In 2012 Colbourne won his first world title, taking the gold medal in the C1 3 km individual pursuit at the 2012 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Los Angeles, United States. At the same Championships he won the silver medal in the C1 1 km time trial. He was selected as part of the cycling team for

Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Great may refer to: Descriptions or measurements * Great, a relative measurement in physical space, see Size * Greatness, being divine, majestic, superior, majestic, or transcendent People * List of people known as "the Great" *Artel Great (born ...

. On 30 August 2012 Colbourne won a silver medal and Great Britain's first medal of the

2012 Paralympics The 2012 Summer Paralympics, branded as the London 2012 Paralympic Games, were an international multi-sport parasports event held from 29 August to 9 September 2012 in London, England, United Kingdom. They were the 14th Summer Paralympic Game ...

, in the C1-3 1 km time trial. On 31 August 2012 he won a gold medal in the C1 3 km individual pursuit after breaking the world record in both the qualification round and the final. He is scheduled to compete in two road cycling events; the C1 road time trial, on 5 September; and the C1-3 road race on 6 September. Colbourne was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the

2013 New Year Honours The New Year Honours 2013 were appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms to Orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms, various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Hon ...

for services to cycling. In August 2013 Colbourne announced his retirement from para-cycling.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Colbourne, Mark 1969 births Living people Sportspeople from Tredegar Welsh men's volleyball players Welsh male cyclists Paralympic cyclists for Great Britain Cyclists at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Paralympic silver medalists for Great Britain Paralympic gold medalists for Great Britain Welsh people with disabilities Members of the Order of the British Empire UCI Para-cycling World Champions Medalists at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Welsh Paralympic competitors Paralympic medalists in cycling

Early life

Cycling career

See also

References