Opening Day Challenges as Riders Eye Future Redemption

MONTIGNY-LE-BRETTONEUX, FRANCE – In front of an energetic, sold-out crowd, Team USA opened the Para-cycling track races at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games across the men’s B 4000-meter individual pursuit and the women’s C4-5 500-meter time trial.

Three-time Paralympic champion Shawn Morelli (Meadville, Pennsylvania) was the first rider on the track at Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, followed shortly by two-time Paralympic bronze medalist Samantha Bosco (Claremont, California), where they each competed in the women’s C4 500m time trial qualifying race. Bosco and Morelli finished 12th and 13th, respectively, and though they missed the medal rounds, they remained committed and resilient, and are optimistic as they look forward to their next competition. Both Morelli and Bosco prepare for a strong return to the track Aug. 30 to compete in the C4 3000m individual pursuit.

Branden Walton (Windsor, California) riding tandem with Spencer Seggebruch (Saint Louis, Minnesota), posted an impressive time of 4:10.290 in the 4000m qualifying race, leaving the remaining riders fiercely jostling for position of first and second rank. Ultimately, Walton and Seggebruch were overtaken and concluded the race with a sixth-place final ranking that, despite the team’s dedication and effort, did not result in a qualification for the next stage of the competition. The pair gear up for a comeback at the velodrome on Sept. 1 to compete in the men’s B 1000m time trial. 

Para-cycling races will resume on Friday, Aug. 30, streaming live on Peacock, NBC, USA Network and CNBC.

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Team USA Results

Branden Walton and Spencer Seggebruch (pilot) – 6th, men’s B 4000-meter individual pursuit

Samantha Bosco –  12th, women’s C4-5 500-meter time trial

Shawn Morelli – 13th, women’s C4-5 500-meter time trial