Dame Sarah Storey wins record-extending 19th Paralympic gold medal with road race success in Paris – as she bursts away from French silver medalist Heidi Gaugain in sprint finish

Dame Sarah Storey wrote a new chapter in the history books by winning the women’s C4-5 road race at Paris 2024 to claim her 19th Paralympic gold medal.

Britain’s most successful Paralympic athlete completed the 71km course in one hour, 54 minutes and 24 seconds, just ahead of French silver medallist Heidi Gaugain, while Colombia’s Paula Ossa took bronze.

Her success gave the 46-year-old her 30th medal from nine Games, including 19 gold medals, a British record.

The 19-year-old Gaugain made a final attempt to win in the closing stages of the race, but was quickly overtaken by the reigning champion, who punched the air after sprinting across the finish line.

“It’s amazing, it’s really amazing. I’m just happy that my wheel crossed the finish line at the front,” Storey said after the most thrilling time trial finish of her Paralympic career.

Storey (left) won in dramatic fashion after beating Heidi Gaugain in a sprint

France’s Gaugain came second, while Colombia’s Ossa Veloz (right) secured bronze

‘The lap before, one of her coaches (Gaugain) yelled from across the road, ‘Next lap left,’ so I checked to see where we were to make sure I was ready.

He shouted ‘go’ and I went too.

‘Heidi got a little bit of a gap, which was fine because she was making a big acceleration. I had a bit of speed because I was trying to get ahead of the acceleration and then it was just a matter of holding her off as she kept accelerating.

‘It was a long way, but it was the only tactic she could use, because I am the fastest sprinter.

“And then, when we were together in that last corner, I let go. She tried to come again. I saw her feet kicking wildly, but I threw my bike and it was mine.”

Storey was back in Clichy-sous-Bois two days later, having complained about the short length of the 14.1km time trial event, after retaining his title.

Her second – and final – race in France consisted of five laps of the same course.

The mother of two was once again cared for by her husband Barney and her children Louisa and Charlie in the eastern suburbs of the French capital.

She rode in the leading group during the stage, together with the teenager Gaugain and the 32-year-old Ossa.

Storey had just returned from Atlanta in 1996, where she had won the last three of her five gold medals in swimming at the Paralympic Games. She was the same age as Gaugain at the time.

“I thought, ‘You’re up against a 19-year-old here,’ remember what that was like, the alertness of a 19-year-old,” she said.

‘I’m still feisty for a 46-year-old, but I have to use it wisely.

“My glutes are on fire. I was cracking up before the race, absolutely. But that’s normal and it’s about finding ways to manage the process and the privilege of growing old as an athlete.

“I wanted to be an athlete for as long as possible. I never expected there to be eight Games, let alone nine.

“Every time you’re on the starting line, you push yourself to the limit. I’ll keep doing that and keep finding ways to win a bike race. I hope it stays that way.”

Storey aims to get back on the bike later this month at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich.

The former swimmer has refused to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, by which time she will be 50.

Storey has now competed in nine Paralympic Games and has not ruled out Los Angeles in 2028

Storey claimed her victory on Friday came after ‘one of the most exciting races we’ve ever had’

“I have to enjoy this first, but to quote Simone Biles (American gymnast): absolutely – never say never to anything.”

‘That just has to sink in because it was actually one of the most exciting races we’ve ever had. It was full throttle from the start.’

Britain’s Blaine Hunt, a sprinter, was forced to withdraw from the C4-5 men’s road race after about 16 kilometres.

Visually impaired rider Stephen Bate had to withdraw from the men’s B competition because his tandem pilot Chris Latham was ill.