Another win for Ian

Scunthorpe RC 50 - 09/07/2006 - North Lincolnshire

Despite a below par performance, Ian recorded his second win inside the week in the Scunthorpe RC 50 held over a sporting course in very tough conditions.

High winds was the order of the day and a course that kept the riders thinking most of the time as it twisted in all directions on many different short legs. The course was based around Limber and Barnetby Top with the first leg out to Stallingborough and back to Laceby and then heading North to Brigg and then North again to Barton and returning to Limber for the finish.

On a day of high winds, Ian opted to ride spoked wheels front and rear as he chased distance specialist Chris Hopkinson (API-Metrow) for a minute.

Once Ian had started his ride, he knew things weren't quite right and Ian struggled to get going over this interesting course. Despite getting Hopkinson into his sights, Ian never had the power to close the gap fully and pass Hopkinson. Ian got to within 20 seconds of Hopkinson at one of the many turns on the course but Hopkinson held Ian at bay despite having ridden 184 miles the day before on the tandem in preparation for the National 24hr tandem event.

As the finish was approaching, Ian was getting worried that he may not break the two hour mark for 50 miles which would normally be well within his reach despite the high winds and testing course. Pulling out all the stops over the last few miles Ian still didn't catch Hopkinson but just crept inside the 2 hour mark to take the win.