Cyclist Richard shatters record

The Pendle Forest CC member portrayed his pedal power in the 100-mile time trial at the Stockton Wheelers CC 100 in North Yorkshire.

Bideau, racing over the distance for the first time, beat Kevin Dawson’s 12-year record on the two-lap Crathorne-Dishforth course.

Going into uncharted territory after reaching 50 miles in 1:39.48, the 44-year-old was even quicker over the second half to finish in 3:18.54 – taking 3.51 from Dawson’s finish.

“It was totally unexpected - I am quite amazed,” he said. “About 50 miles in I started to realise that I wasn’t far off competition record place. It was all a bit insane and I kept thinking ‘am I going to pay for this?’ But it didn’t happen and I even managed to raise my power a little bit towards the end.”

Bideau, who placed second in the Belper BC 25 the previous day in 47.57, added: “I kept saying to myself ‘don’t blow it now, you might not get the chance again.

“I felt fine until I crossed the line and then I was in bits. I struggled to turn the cranks to get back to HQ.”