Cycling’s Flying Burrito aims for more Paralympic gold

In the rich fast-food tradition of KFC Kid, Australian track cycling now has the Flying Burrito.

Just as Ryan Bayley is so much more than his love of fried chicken, Korey Boddington’s love of Mexican staples is backed by a fierce drive and immense talent.

Boddington’s coach David Betts gave him this nickname. The Paralympic gold medalist will whip up up to 40 burritos a week to supplement her sprint running regime.

He was Australian cyclist of the year at last year’s track para-cycling world championships, winning the Sir Hubert Opperman Medal for four titles and two world records.

Boddington received the “Oppy” title 21 years after Bayley, another elite athlete sprinter with a similar nutritional regimen, received the award for her two Olympic gold medals.

Bayley will always be remembered as the KFC Kid or Flyin’ Ryan. Twenty years later Boddington adopted his own nickname.

“My nutritionist had been trying to integrate different foods for a while,” Boddington told AAP.

“But I use all my tricks.

“When he realized that I was really happy to eat the same thing – I’m a very simple guy – he accepted everything. He thinks it’s for the best.”

Just like Bayley, Boddington is a true performer.

Less than two years after taking up track cycling, the 30-year-old won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Then last year he won the C3 category in the sprint, 1km time trial and elimination race at the para cycling world championships. He also secured victory in Australia’s mixed C1-5 team sprint with an excellent drive at the third wheel.

In the C3 flying 200m he broke the world record of 10.581 seconds in 200m flying and one minute 2.848 seconds in kilo.

Boddington was one of the Australian para-cyclists featured in last year’s documentary Change Track.

She became the second para-cyclist to win the Oppy, two years after Amanda Reid. Consider that other competitors at last year’s Oppy included Olympic BMX champion Saya Sakakibara, road cycling’s Grand Tour stars Jay Vine and Sarah Gigante, and track sprinter Leigh Hoffman.

At the age of 11, Boddington suffered serious arm injuries after being hit by a minibus. When he was 15, a motocross injury nearly killed him and left him with an acquired brain injury.

“Some of Mum and Dad’s hair is certain to have turned grey,” said Boddington.

He works as an accountant and will marry Chloe this year on the 10th anniversary of their meeting.

The Queenslander, who trains at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane, is aiming to qualify for the Los Angeles Games before competing at home at the 2032 Paralympics.

Boddington, too, is pleasantly surprised by the recognition he has now received.

“I think anyone can do what I can do, but at the cyclist of the year awards, a lady said to me, ‘No, you’re not normal,'” he said.

The “Oppy” honor roll is elite. Along with Bayley, the winners include Cadel Evans, Anna Meares, Simon Gerrans, Grace Brown and Sakakibara.

“There are some very big names,” Boddington said.

“It’s weird because I look at Cadel and people like him – I’ve only been cycling for a little over two years.

“I’m definitely not done. The stove is just getting hot.”

“I can’t understand it but someone can and to put me in the same level or class as Cadel Evans, I haven’t done anything close to that.

“To be given the same recognition is mind-blowing. It’s so cool.”

Despite all the challenges Boddington has overcome to achieve this success, he also maintains a healthy perspective.

“I think with all the accidents I’ve had in my life… that’s the one thing I’ve realized; don’t stress about the little things, life can end ‘just like that,'” he said.

“I don’t believe in it (his success). In a way, I feel like a fraud because I know how hard I’ve trained, but some people work their whole lives and don’t do what I do.”

“That’s all I’m focused on – training hard and going fast.”

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