Jody Cundy digs deep against able-bodied athletes to take National Track Championship bronze

PARALYMPIC legend Jody Cundy got back on his bike to claim a stunning bronze medal racing against able-bodied athletes at the National Track Championships.

The 33-year-old, from Walpole St Andrew, returned to the track for the first time since London 2012 and he was forced to dig deep with only a handful of training sessions under his belt.

Cundy thought his championships were over after he competed in the 1km Time Trial, Open Keirin and Open Sprint in the first three days.

But after star rider Kian Emadi fell ill, the Paralympian was called up to take his place in the team sprint trio alongside Matt Crampton and Craig MacLean.

Despite three days of racing taking its toll on his legs, Cundy helped his new team-mates power to an impressive bronze - admitting afterwards that he was “completely spent”.

Cundy said: “It was a fantastic experience racing with Matt and Craig and it has certainly given me a few things to work on when I get back to training.

“I’m pretty happy to win a bronze medal at the National Champs!”

Cundy said the championships had helped “close the door” on a rollercoaster year of competition and that he would now be able to focus on preparing for Rio 2016.

The Fenland star will visit Wisbech tomorrow to take a tour of the town’s schools on Vivien, the vintage fire engine.