The Chorley rider won a gold medal in the 1km time trial at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and is now training to become a tandem "pilot" with the possibility of competing in the Paralympics at London in 2012.

Queally, 38, who also won a silver medal in the team sprint in Sydney, will be competing with double Paralympic champion Anthony Kappes and the pair are expected to make their competitive debut at the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester in May.

Kappes, 35, is partially sighted and competes in the B&VI 1–3 class.

He said: "Because of the eligibility rules regarding riders riding for the able-bodied squad internationally, Jason can't actually compete officially this year.

"So, we're hoping to compete at non-counting events. Hopefully, we will be able to ride at the World Cup and make our debut there.

"However, Jason and I are really looking at 2010 onwards when we'll be able to compete in anger."

Barney Storey, who had partnered Kappes to gold in the sprint and kilo in Beijing, will now partner Rochdale's Simon Jackson.

He is making the switch to cycling from judo, where he won three Paralympic gold medals.