Sophie Unwin

Started: She rode a tandem bike for the first time in August 2020. (rouleur.cc, 21 Jun 2021) Reason: She was spotted by the Great Britain Para cycling team at a talent identification camp in England. "They were looking for a sprint stoker on the tandem. I went to that and they basically said, 'You're not a sprinter, but you might be alright with endurance'. That was my first time on a tandem. I thought I might hate it, because you're not in control of the bike at all, but I absolutely loved it." (paralympics.org.uk, 15 Jul 2021; rouleur.cc, 21 Jun 2021) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (eurosport.com, 22 Aug 2023) Additional Info: RELATIONSHIP WITH PILOT After taking up tandem in August 2020, she began riding with pilot Jenny Holl in March 2021. "It was quite strange because I wasn't used to riding on the track - and wasn't used to being on a tandem either, so the first few laps were sort of learning how to ride a bike and certainly learning how to ride together. I think almost from the first time we met I totally trusted Jenny on the front of the bike, but I do think having the time to spend socially helps as well. We get on really well. The more we get to know each other, the more we know how each other communicates - which obviously helps on the bike. I think the way we communicate on the bike [is our greatest strength]. Jenny is very good at telling me the stuff I need to know without overcomplicating things, and I think I respond very well when she says things like, 'Right, we need to go now'. It's that trust in each other that we are both going to do what the other needs in the race that's important." (paralympics.org.uk, 15 Jul 2021; rouleur.cc, 21 Jun 2021)