Cycling’s Flying Burrito aims for more Paralympic gold

Roger Vaughan | January 14, 2026

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

And just as Ryan Bayley was a lot more than his love of fried chicken, Korey Boddington’s love of the Mexican staple belies a fierce drive and immense talent. 

Boddington’s coach David Betts gave him the nickname. The Paralympic gold medallist will make as many as 40 burritos a week to help fuel his track sprinting regime.

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

Boddington claimed the “Oppy” 21 years after Bayley, another elite track sprinter with a relatable dietary regime, took out the award for his two Olympic gold medals.

Bayley will always be remembered as the KFC Kid, or Flyin’ Ryan. Two decades later, Boddington has embraced his moniker.

“My nutritionist, for a fair while she was trying to integrate different food,” Boddington told AAP.

“But I’m hitting all my numbers.

“Once she realised I’m really happy eating the same thing – I’m a very simple man – she’s all on board. She thinks it’s the best.”

Just like Bayley, Boddington is the real deal.

The 30-year-old won gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics less than two years after taking up track cycling.

Then last year, he won the C3 category at the para-cycling world titles in the sprint, 1km time trial and elimination race. He also rode superbly in third wheel to clinch the win for Australia in the mixed C1-5 team sprint.

He set the C3 flying 200m world records of 10.581 seconds for the flying 200m and one minute 2.848 seconds for the kilo.

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

He is the second para-cyclist to win the Oppy, two years after Amanda Reid. Consider that other contenders for 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 11, Boddington suffered serious injuries to an arm when hit by a van. At 15, a motocross injury nearly killed him and left him with an acquired brain injury.

“I’ve given Mum and Dad some grey hairs, that’s for sure,” Boddington said.

He works as an accountant and will marry Chloe this year on the 10-year anniversary of when they met.

The Queenslander, who trains at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane, is aiming for the LA Games ahead of competing at home in the 2032 Paralympics.

Boddington is also pleasantly stunned at the recognition he now receives.

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

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

“There are huge names,” Boddington said.

“it’s very strange, because I look at Cadel and people like him – I’ve only been cycling for a bit over two years.

“I’m definitely not done. The stove top is just getting warm.

“I can’t comprehend it, but someone can, and to put me on the same level or class as them – Cadel Evans – I haven’t done anything near as much as him.

“Being given the same recognition, it’s mind-boggling. It’s bloody cool.”

With all the adversity Boddington has overcome to achieve this success, he also has a healthy dose of perspective.

“I guess over my life, having all the accidents I’ve had … that’s just the one thing I’ve realised – don’t stress the little things, life can be over like ‘that’,” he said.

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

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