Sarah Storey Wins Her 19th Paralympic Gold in a Thrilling Road Race

Britain’s Sarah Storey won her record-extending 19th Paralympic gold medal in a gripping road race, Baron's reported. The 46-year-old cyclist triumphed over French rider Heidi Gaugain in an exhilarating sprint finish at the C4-5 road race in Clichy-sous-Bois. Storey led throughout the 71km race alongside the pack until she and Gaugain, who is 27 years younger, broke away in the final section. Storey clinched the win by inches and celebrated by hugging her daughter Louisa, present with the rest of her family.

Storey, born without a functioning left hand, has now accumulated 30 Paralympic medals since her debut in the 1992 Barcelona Games in swimming at age 14. Reflecting on her win, Storey expressed her disbelief and gratification: "It's amazing, really amazing it’s not sunk in at all. I'm delighted my wheel was at the front at the finish," she shared, noting Gaugain’s strong acceleration. "I'm still nippy for a 46-year-old but I use it wisely."

Colombia's Paula Ossa Veloza rounded out the podium by claiming the bronze medal. Although exhilarated by the race outcome, Storey left open the possibility of competing in her 10th Games in Los Angeles in 2028, saying, "I need to enjoy this one first, never say never to anything. This needs to sink in because it was one of the most exciting races we've had."

Earlier, SSP wrote that a record-breaking women's match finished at US Open.