County’s favourite senior cyclist wraps up race season with another win

The County’s favourite senior cyclist has wrapped up racing for this year with a first-place finish in his age group in Arizona’s El Tour de Tucson last week.

There were 1,500 riders in the race, a 100km ride, with 400 meters of climbing and Legge, 75, won first place in the male age 71 and older category of 129 competitors and placed 79th overall.

“I averaged 36/kph, which I was very pleased with,” he said. “It gives me confidence that I can compete
on the world level for my age group. It’s the final race for the season.”

Legge says he’s looking forward to 2024, with a chance to compete (for the fourth time) in the World Gran Fondo Championships in Aalborg, Denmark.

In August this year he won 13th place in his age category at the UCI World Medio Fondo Championship in Perth, Scotland. Last year he cycled to 33rd place in the worlds at Italy. In 2021, he qualified, but did not attend the worlds as it was held during the pandemic.

He has been cycling for more than two decades – including local rides and the annual Ride to Conquer Cancer, the County’s Gran Fondo and the Hastings Highlands Hilly Hundred in Bancroft.

The 2024 season will see Legge with plans to head back to the Cheaha Challenge in Jacksonville AL in mid May.
“They have shortened our qualifying ride to 83 miles, from 100 which we did last year. The race in Aalborg is September 1.

“My goal will be to have a podium finish. I like the idea of qualifying early, providing time to plan and travel for Denmark.”

He has met some riders from Denmark and understands their course may be similar, but more challenging than at Perth.

“I have also met riders who know the Jordan course. It will be a big climb, from -400m below sea level, to 800m above. I will rent a bike there and already have rental shops to check out.”