Issue 109 - The Enabled Issue

One in five people in the world has some form of disability. The Paralympics had 4.25 billion viewers around the world. Yet, disability and disability sport is so under-represented in the media.

This is an edition which redresses that imbalance. It focuses on para-cycling and disability sport, putting the emphasis on what these athletes do so excellently. Disability does not define them. Disability, after all, is a social construct: we’ve been sold the lie that disability is a “Bad Thing” – and that to live with it makes you exceptional.

Issue 109 of Rouleur focuses on the enabling power of sport, telling untold stories about para-cycling and its biggest stars. We’re showing great athletes in non-stereotypical ways, exploring how cycling and society can do better to help those involved in disability sport.

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Gaza: first flight of the Sunbirds

Following Alaa al Dali as he chases his dream of starting a para-cycling team in a Middle Eastern conflict zone. A story of willpower, resourcefulness and passion for sport

 

Kristina Vogel

The former Olympic sprint champion refuses to look back in anger after a life-changing crash that left her paralysed from the waist down. Charting her journey from Krzygistan immigrant to decorated athlete, German national sporting treasure and commentator

 

Headstrong: Marion Clignet

Riding and reminiscing in the Pyrenees with epileptic Marion Clignet, the live wire French racer and Nineties world beater

 

Kadeena Cox

Pivotal points in the life of the Paralympic superstar that helped her to become the athlete and person she is today

 

Genesis

Juanjo Méndez is missing an arm and a leg; Claudia Grau her right leg. Paolo Penni Martelli’s photo story charts their unlikely friendship as the pair, separated by 25 years in age, put in the hard miles chasing titles as part of the groundbreaking Genesis para-cycling team in Catalonia

 

Hannah Cockroft

The GB Paralympic wheelchair racing champion is as fast as she is forthright. She talks best bits and barriers in para-sport – and the uneasy position of being called an inspiration

 

Santini

In the saddle with Fergus Niland, the Irishman who initially won a kit design competition to work at Santini and has become one of the Italian brand’s creative powerhouses

 

Maas Appeal

Former Team Sunweb rider Edo Maas on how art helped him through a life-changing accident and the inspirations behind his unique work 

 

Laurens Unbound

Ride slow, live fast is the motto of Laurens Ten Dam, the bearded Dutchman ending his racing career by refinding his sporting joy on the US gravel scene

 

Astounding Asturias

Cider, serious climbs and a mythical cyclops; we clock up the kilometres with Astur Cycling in this beautiful north Spanish region

 

Desire

La Passione apparel and Specialized S-Works Shiv Disc with triathlete Claire Cashmore

Plus columns from Ned Boulting, Orla Chennaoui and Hannah Dines

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