12th consecutive world title for 'awesome' Jody

Proud dad Alan Cundy spoke of his elation and anger after his 'awesome' son Jody bagged his 12th consecutive world track para-cycling title.

Forty-one year-old Jody Cundy, who was born and raised in Walpole St Andrew, defended an unbeaten record stretching back to 2006 with victory in the C4 men's one kilometre time trial on Thursday in Milton, Canada - but his dad is angered at the lack of recognition afforded his son.

Alan said: "He was Great Britain's first gold medal winner at this year's championships. That was his 12th world title on the trot, he hasn't been beaten since 2006 but he just doesn't get the recognition.

"He's had 12 years at the top, 12 consecutive world titles, he's no idiot. I know he has an OBE and an MBE but he doesn't get the TV recognition."

Jody, a below-the-knee amputee, finished almost a second and 1km per hour faster than second-placed Jozef Metelka, from Slovakia, in Thursday's event. The Englishman clocked one minute 05.087 seconds and 55.311 km per hour on his victory ride.

He had to do it the hard way, waiting as 15th and final rider to compete and then being further delayed as medics attended to American Justin Widhalm, who had been overcome with exhaustion after his ride.

Alan said: "Jody didn't ride anywhere near to his potential. He has been a lot quicker in training, he has been flying.

"He knows it's there in the tank for the Paralympics in Tokyo in August and September, but it's on the day and it's going to be a lot harder because they will be combining the C4 and C5 into one category.

"And the Spanish guy who won the C5 on Thursday was quicker than Jody by two seconds. Jody was hoping to do 63 seconds himself, but he said after two laps on Thursday he started to lose it. He managed to hang on and win."

Victory on Thursday was Jody's main target at the para-cycling track world championships, but he is competing in the individual pursuit on Saturday to help earn points for the GB team for Tokyo and he will also be riding in an experimental GB team sprint line-up on Sunday, with the Paralympics in mind.

Long Sutton couple Alan and Ann have been trackside at every one of their son's events since 1994.

Alan said: "I usually shout 'that's my boy' as he crosses the line - we're just so proud of him.

"But after all these years we're still so nervous. The butterflies and how we feel when that boy crosses the line we just can't put into words.

"He's just awesome."