Ives’ Cheltenham ride raises more than £2,000 for Injured Jockey Fund
Mick Ives in action at Cheltenham. Picture submitted
Mick Ives successfully completed his fundraising ride at Cheltenham racecourse, raising more than £2,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).
The Team Jewson-MI Racing rider completed 69.29 miles in two hours on a turbo trainer, which was well over his initial goal of 60 miles.
However, having finished so close, the Baginton athlete, pictured right, was disappointed not to have gone past the 70-mile mark.
“I eased off a bit too much in the middle of the event, but over 60 miles was super,” said Ives.
Ives has raised more than £50,000 for different charities over the years, but having dreamt of being a National Hunt jockey as a youth, the IJF remains close to the 72-year-old’s heart.
He said: “Cycle racing is a tough sport and riders take great risks at times, but nothing compares with the dangers and risks that National Hunt jockeys have to endure - they are a special breed.”
Meanwhile, the three-day Tour of the Abberleys on the Worcestershire/Herefordshire borders attracted a top-class field, with Team Jewson riders prominent throughout.
Warwick’s Jon Stevenson, finished second on stage two for riders 40 to 49 years, while team-mate John French finished second overall in the race for riders 55 and over.
Martin Hackley (Dunchurch) finished third overall in the race for riders 60 and over.
Kenilworth rider Ciara Horne, guesting for the Node 4-Giordana team, won the two-day Bedford Women’s International Stage Race by just a second after a brave attack in the final few miles of the last stage.
The concluding stage was an eight-lap 50-mile race run off in rainy conditions which eventually led to it being shortened by one circuit.
It was dominated by Elinor Barker (Scott Contessa) who attacked alone on the first lap and held her lead to the finish.
Barker started the day fifth overall, 26 seconds off the yellow jersey of Sarah Storey and 21 seconds behind second-placed Horne.
Her lead grew to a maximum of around a minute-and-a-half, but Horne chased her down in the final couple of laps and, although she did not get close enough for the stage win, she did just enough to take the overall victory.
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Weather for Leamington
Saturday 25 May 2013
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