‘Hoppo’ aims to tune in to seven new world records

Chris Hopkinson, 51, added much intrigue to the local cycling scene after coming here in August to teach music.

The Evo2Max semi-pro now eyes seven age-group World UltraCycling Association marks in 12 hours around Guernsey’s karting track – otherwise and conveniently known as ‘the Cycling Ground’.

He hopes to rewrite his own 100k, 100 mile, 200k, six-hour, 300k, 200-mile and 12-hour records in the first attempt of its kind on Sarnian soil, with 248.8 miles being the benchmark for the final distance.

But who is Hopkinson, exactly?

The endurance enthusiast started cycling relatively late, gelling immediately to ultra-distance and clocking some huge miles since.

‘I started cycling in 1998, so I’ve been cycling for 20 years and during that time, I’ve done about 400,000 miles,’ he said with conviction.

The 3,000-mile Race Across America has always been close to his heart and in 2005, he became the first Brit ever to complete it solo.

Hopkinson’s ability to hold speed over ridiculous distances has earned him multiple world records and recognition that very few ultra-cyclists can match.

He is the only European to be honoured with the WUCA’s Ultracyclist of Distinction award, in 2015, and of particular sentimental value is his Jure Robich award, named after a multiple Race Across America winner and personal friend, who sadly met his demise in 2010.

‘Unfortunately, ultra-cycling’s a dangerous business,’ said a man who nearly had his own career sidelined by an accident in 2001.

‘Which is why I do all my training indoors here – that is my training station.’

You probably won’t see ‘Hoppo’ out on the roads often, as he clocks his miles on the simulated terrain of virtual training platform Zwift.

He holds the Zwift world distance record of 2,202.3 miles, throwing in the towel just 15 minutes short of six days of straight cycling.

‘I’ve got a few daft records,’ he chuckled.

Daft or not, the new arrival holds 25 world records and nine world titles and will remain for at least one year covering music teaching – and maybe permanently. ‘Now I’m over here, I actually want to stay, because I love the place,’ he added.

Behind his world record bid lies hope of raising valuable funds for Friends of Guernsey Music Centre to send some students to Canada next year. About Monday’s ride?

‘I feel brilliant – I’m very confident as I’ve done a lot of work,’ he said.

‘Half-term fell in an incredibly useful time and I’ve hit great form, I now just need to taper for the main event.’

The choice of venue is another factor, but the wise rider wouldn’t start a fight he doesn’t think he can finish.

‘The track that they were done on was an oval,’ he said, while pointing to a list of his previous marks.

‘Obviously, Guernsey karting track isn’t [oval] – well it is, as I’m going to be taking out the chicanes, taking out the tyre walls and that, but the corners are quite abrupt 90-degree turns – so I’ve got to be pushing it.’

Pacing will be hard too, knowing he’ll have to ride a progressively redder line after starting fast to chase the shorter marks.

He’s done it before, having set most of his current outdoor track records in a similar trial last year, and hopes to do it again.

‘If someone wanted to specifically aim for one and make sure they got it, then they’d probably do that, but I’m also using this for the WUCA annual competitions,’ said Hopkinson.

‘I’m hoping that my ride is so good next Monday that I manage to take two or three world titles as well as just break the records.

‘I am going to have to up my game for the shorter distances, which I’ve been training for, and am expecting to slow towards the end – although hopefully not too much.’

He also has his own trick of the trade to stay motivated.

‘Numbers. I crunch numbers constantly, I’ll have the Garmin on my bike and I’ll be crunching numbers in my head all the time,’ added Hopkinson.

‘[But] I’d like as many people as possible to come down to the track and give me a cheer, really, and keep me motivated – motivation isn’t difficult for me, but the more people down there, the better.’

He thanks surveyor Marc Isabelle, Karting Guernsey and Bels Football Club’s Keith Mansell for laying the foundations for the attempt, while Sarnian ultra-cyclist Paul Jackson will be among the officials.

Hopkinson will begin at 7.30am and updates will be available on his Facebook page.