CLICHY-SOUS-BOIS - On a high-octane final day of road racing at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Team USA riders reveled in pure exhilaration, capturing medals across three different events.

Former U.S. Marine and first-time Paralympian Dennis Connors (Beaverton, Oregon) executed a masterful display of tactical patience, carefully conserving energy throughout the demanding race. With the finish line in sight, Connors unleashed a blistering attack, surging from the pack with a powerful sprint. His perfectly timed acceleration eluded his rivals, securing his name on the podium with a silver medal.

“Bike races are really fun, and it’s really hard,” Connors said. “I think it’s the hardest sport in the Games. It’s so painful, and so many things can happen."

Amidst the exhilarating blend of joy, agony, and discomfort that racing brings, Connors believes the struggles and uncertainties are worth it, expressing hope that his silver medal performance will inspire others to pursue their cycling dreams.

“To all the kids with disabilities who don’t think they can do it, all the veterans who have given up hope, you can do it.” Connors said tearfully.

In another exemplary display of race craft, former world champion Clara Brown (Falmouth, Maine) orchestrated a strategic performance, probing her rivals’ defenses and exploiting their weakness. Brown’s instincts were on display as she read the race with accuracy, working in collaboration with teammate Jamie Whitmore (Somerset, California). Their synergy paid dividends as Brown powered across the finish line to claim her first Paralympic medal, sparking a whirlwind of emotions.

“It was relief, I was overjoyed, and it felt so special to have my family here. They were cheering and I could hear them,” Brown said. “I’m just proud to be a part of Team USA and contribute to our strong team performance.”

In an epic finale in Paris, two-time gold medalist Travis Gaertner (Burien, Washington), bronze medalist Katerina Brim (Lowell, Michigan), and Matt Tingley (Rochester Hills, Michigan) rolled up to the mixed relay H1-5 exuding an air of quiet confidence. Having first raced together at the 2024 UCI Para-Cycling World Cup in Maniago, Italy and claiming gold, the newly minted team felt assured in their chemistry. As the race unfolded, the trio found their rhythm, transitioning through their designated legs, and leveraging their diverse strengths to carefully balance the demands of the race. Together, they powered through each exchange to stay in contention and capture the bronze medal title for Team USA.

“It's truly, truly amazing. We see these podiums evolve every single time they’re here,” Brim said alongside her teammates. “It feels truly incredible to be the only female, but to be amongst these two is the only reason it was possible.”

As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games concludes, Team USA will proudly return home with eight medals in Para-cycling across the track and road disciplines. Team USA cyclists are already setting their eyes towards the LA 2028 Summer Games, eager to showcase their skills in their home country and compete fiercely to defend their titles.

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For media and photo inquiries, please contact Rebecca.Beard@usopc.org.

Team USA Medals

Dennis Connors: Silver, Road Race men’s T1-2

Clara Brown: Bronze, Road Race women’s C1-3

Travis Gaertner, Katerina Brim, Matt Tingley: Bronze, Team Relay, Mixed H-5

Other Team USA Results

Jamie Whitmore: 5^th, Road race women’s C1-3

Team USA Dominates with Three Medals in Final Day of Cycling

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