The race for the South Downs Way Double record could be back on again. Just a few weeks since Rob Lee smashed the record for the Eastbourne-to-Winchester and back epic, past record holder Mike Cotty has been spotted on the Downs recently looking rather like he’s preparing for another go.

Our spies caught him recently riding with an uncharacteristically large pack, perhaps a hint that he’s planning to echo Rob’s pioneering “Alpine style” unsupported ride. We’re told that Mike took his Cannondale from Eastbourne to Winchester in nine and a half hours on a very hot day in May, which would certainly bode well for a record-breaking ride.

He also rendezvouzed with another former record holder, Neil Newell. Hopefully any future attempt from Mike will involve Neil’s excellent GPS-based real-time tracking gizmo so we’ll be able to follow him on the trail…