London Paralympic champion Carol Cooke is set to line up in the opening round of the 2013 Australian National Hand-cycling Series (NHS) in Sydney.

To be held on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 February in Sydney's west, the Series' opener will feature a criterum and road race for hand-cyclists and tri-cyclists.

The NHS features four rounds of racing action in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria and will feature cyclists from Australia and New Zealand.

Melbourne's Carol Cooke, who claimed a memorable gold medal in the individual road time trial at London last August, is looking forward to the Series following a succesful 2012 season.

"I think as with any cyclist after such a big year that 2012 was, it is important for me to continue enjoying the training and the racing, said Cooke.

"But as I am so new to riding, I still have a lot to learn especially when it comes to tactics in the road race," said Cooke. "So goals such as becoming more proficient in knowing how to race better and smarter are pretty close to the top of the list.

"That's why races such as the NHS are extremely important for Para-cyclists especially hand-cyclists and trike riders, it gives us more opportunity to race.

"There is no doubt that competing against other athletes in my class certainly helped me get ready for London," said Cooke,

Racing commences at 10am on Saturday at Waratah Park Reserve, Sutherland (Criterium) with Lansdowne Park in Bankstown hosting Sunday's Road Race from 10.30am.

The NHS is coordinated by Cycling Australia and is supported by Scody and the Australian Paralympic Committee.

Cycling Australia