Stanway's Terry Byrne will be going for gold at the inaugural Invictus Games this weekend.

The 30-year-old world champion Paralympic cyclist has his sights set on winning a medal, at the newly-designed Lee Valley VeloPark.

Byrne, who will battle it out in the cycling road race and standing one-mile ride, is a former Colchester-based 2nd Battalion soldier.

The military hero lost his right leg and a little finger after stepping on an improvised explosive device while taking part in a routine night patrol in Afghanistan in August, 2008.

Byrne will be one of more than 400 competitors from 13 nations to take part in the first-ever Invictus Games for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

He said: “I’m feeling very focused - I’ve done enough training to know that I can come away with a medal.

“I know that if I can perform to my full potential, I can win it.

“I’m hideously competitive - I feel that I’m in good shape and go into any competition with the intention of winning it.

“I know that I have the pedigree and it’s a case of me applying the experience I have and putting all of the training that I’ve done to good use.”

Byrne, who was selected for Great Britain’s Paralympic cycling team just four months after his leg was removed, heads into the Invictus Games with a notable pedigree.

He won the World Championships in 2011, breaking the world record twice in one day and has been training hard over recent months.

But despite his success in previous events, Byrne says competing at the Invictus Games tops everything.

“I can’t wait - it’s an awesome event for the country and it’s great to see the crowds and the enthusiasm for it,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to this more than any other event that I’ve done.

“Everyone is going into it to win and I can’t wait to race - it’ll be an honour to represent Great Britain.”

Byrne is also aiming to be part of the first-ever disabled team to complete the Explorers’ Grand Slam.

They will aim to reach the North and South Poles and the highest summit in each of seven continents.

Byrne summited both Grand Paradiso in Italy and Russia’s Mount Elbris earlier this year and plans to summit Kilimanjaro in Africa, after the Invictus Games.

Colchester will be well represented at the Invictus Games by soldiers with connections to the town.

In addition to Byrne, the likes of Josh Boggi (9th Para), Ryan Gray (2nd Battalion), Darren Kamara (RAF Regiment) and Scott Meenagh (2nd Battalion) will also be in action this week.