Hodgkinson delight at Pivot 24/12 triumph
AN ENDURANCE cyclist from Sileby is celebrating after winning his latest 24 hour race.
Tom Hodgkinson, riding for Team JMC, was taking part in the Pivot 24/12 race at Newnham Park in Plymouth on a course that was a mixture of single track, big climbs and descents.
Racing from 12pm to 12pm the weather was ideal, sunny but cooler than in recent weeks, but as the night drew there was rain forecast and at 10pm the heavens opened and the conditions for the riders was horrendous.
As the night progressed, many riders retired but Hodgkinson soldiered on. The rain was relentless and the winds got stronger and there were tents and gazebos all around the pit area broken and flipped upside down.
So at 8am organisers ruled it was too dangerous to continue as tree branches were falling in the wooded area’s almost landing on riders and the result was decided on the race placings at the time.
Hodgkinson was two laps ahead of is nearest rival having covered 27 laps and 180 miles when he was declared as the winner.
He said it had been a tough race mentally and paid tribute to his coach Lee Eaton at Transition cycle who had been helping on a daily basis to help with his achievements.
“To win Pivot was a massive goal of mine, and putting in the training has simply paid off. As the race went on and we were seven hours in I felt that I was riding really slowly but then my wife and coach were telling me I was very consistent lap on lap.
“When the rain started at 10pm I knew the rest of he race was going to be a mental challenge, as I got through the night and saw daylight break it was a massive boost and to know I was nearly two laps ahead of second place it was just a matter of pushing on and finishing the race.
“Lee’s coaching has been invaluable as has the support of my wife Mel and Rachael and Richie Scott at Steely Eyed clothing. I have been overwhelmed with the support and messages from friends and family since the win.”