Producing one of his finest performances in his many years of cycle racing, Datalynx’s Business Support Administrator Simon Daw finished in what the Union Cycliste Internationale have described as a “remarkable” third in the UCI Isle of Man mountain time trial last weekend.
Daw won his 55-59 age category by over two-and-a-half minutes to complete the 10.6km climb of Snaefell in 24:45.38, just thirty-two seconds slower than winner Adam Baker.
“This event has been my focus for the whole, year, really” Daw said after the event. “I focused on reducing my weight during the winter, shedding seven kilos in November and December and making sure I didn’t overdose on Christmas pudding! I’m now back to the same weight as when I was in my twenties. It’s paid off – with 350 metres of climbing, this event favours the lightweights.”
Daw also rode the following day’s Gran Fondo, run off in appalling weather with high winds and heavy rain. The event was shortened to eliminate most of the climbing, which didn’t favour him, but he finished sixth in his age group. His rides in both the time trial and Gran Fondo qualify him to ride the World Gran Fondo Championships, which are being held in Scotland next week.
Simon before the start of the Gran Fondo
