PMCRC 5hr Ironman Hare and Hounds

PODIUM FINISH FOR STAN

With the hottest day of the year predicted at 31 degrees for race day; Stan from Front Row GB was riding the all new KTM300 XC on its first outing in anger.

With a full entry of over 200 riders, the race got away on time at 10am for a full 5hrs in searing temperatures and a magnitude of dust. Stan made a simple mistake on the line of not putting the bike into gear and was last away in the joint start line of championship and expert riders.

With a lot of dust building at the rear of the pack, Stan began making his way through the pack and quickly got near the front. By lap two slower riders were already being caught and the scene was set to be riding in some form of dust for the next few hours.

As the riders settled into their pace, Stan got into a rhythm in order to assess if the heat and conditions would take its toll. First refuel at 1hr 40mins saw Stan firmly sat in 2nd place with James Giddings from KTM D3 Racing over 3 mins ahead.

The Edmondson Racing KTM300 XC performed perfectly and by the 3 and half hour mark, Stan still remained in 2nd but now over 7 minutes down on the leader James Giddings. At the start of final hour, Stan was still feeling in good shape and decided to up the pace and see if he could reel in James at the front. Pushing hard where he could, Stan began to close in on the leader and settled into a final hour at a much faster pace.

The KTM300 XC took everything easily in its stride and the harder Stan pushed the better the bike felt. By the end of 5hrs, Stan had closed the gap to just over 3 and half minutes and a confirmed 2nd place with James Giddings in the premier spot. Overall James Giddings and Stan were the only riders to make 22 laps.

FRGB