PONTHIR’S James Ball joined forced with Steff Lloyd to claim gold in the men’s Para B sprint at the National Track Championships.
Visually-impaired Ball, previously a world and Commonwealth Games champion, added to his impressive medal haul when he got the better of long-time rival Neil Fachie and Matt Rotherham to claim glory in Manchester.
Having qualified fastest on 9.928, Fachie and Rotherham sailed through their opening matches to face defending champions Ball and Carmarthen’s Lloyd in the gold medal ride-off.
The opening heat saw Ball and Lloyd leading from the front, holding off the charge of Fachie and Rotherham to take the first win, posting a time of 10.425.
Ball and Lloyd’s power proved unmatchable in the second contest as they took a high line, churning up the pace before dropping in front of the world champions and securing the overall title, once again dipping well under 11 seconds.
Steff Lloyd and James Ball win the Men’s Sprint – Para B Finals during day three of the National Track Championships (Image: Press Association)
Ball said: “This was essentially a world championship final between two elite bikes. Training together, we always learn a lot from each other, although we had no idea what each team was going to do in the race.
“We tried to take the front – it didn’t really work but I was confident we would have the power to pass them over the top and have enough in the tank to finish.”
Lloyd said: “The crowd here are amazing. As Welsh lads, it’s been nice to be down in Newport the past few years, but this is the home of British Cycling and it’s great to be back.”
Ball and Lloyd turned the tables after having to settle for silver on Friday when Fachie and Rotherham triumphed in the para-cycling B time-trial.